PAMBE Ghana

La’angum Learning Center Class of 2026 Graduates in a Memorable Ceremony

A total of 35 students, comprising 20 boys and 15 girls, participated in the graduation ceremony held on 23rd July 2026 at La’angum Learning Center (LLC). The Basic Six class is under the guidance of Mr. Abdul‑Rahaman Mustapha and Mr. Bugri Godfred. The PTA chairman, parents, past students, and teachers attended the ceremony. The program began with an opening prayer led by Mr. Godfred. The Deputy Headteacher delivered a welcome address and introduced the parents and guests present for the occasion. The Senior Prefect of LLC, together with his deputy, congratulated the graduating students and encouraged them to remain disciplined, focused, and hardworking as they advance to the next stage of their education. He also expressed gratitude to Alice and the PAMBE Ghana Board for their continuous, selfless efforts in sustaining the program. Students from KG1 and other classes presented poem recitals, showcasing their talents. The KG1 students impressed the audience by confidently sharing their knowledge of the seven continents and the 16 regions of Ghana with their capitals. The audience responded with joy and admiration.

Books, pens, and pencils were presented to the students, while other deserving learners received awards in recognition of their academic performance and good conduct. The graduating class also donated two containers of emulsion paint worth GHC 250 to LLC. The paint will be used to renovate the Basic Six classroom, with the class teacher—who is also a painter—taking responsibility for the work. This thoughtful gesture served as a token of appreciation to the school and encouraged other students to embrace the spirit of giving, no matter how small.

Certificates were presented to all graduating students in recognition of their successful completion of Basic Six at LLC. The class also performed a drama on drug abuse, highlighting its causes, effects, and possible solutions. The performance educated the audience on the dangers of drug abuse and encouraged learners to make responsible choices.

The class teachers, together with other staff, offered words of advice to the graduates. They urged them to respect their parents and teachers, take their studies seriously, avoid bad company, and remain committed to achieving their future goals. The program concluded with closing remarks by the Assistant Headteacher, followed by further remarks from the Program Director. A vote of thanks was delivered by Asna Bukari, a past student currently in SHS, who expressed appreciation to the school authorities, teachers, parents, guests, and all who contributed to the success of the ceremony.

The day also marked a significant milestone in the life of Fuseini Abdul-Minu as he graduates with the Basic School Class of 2026. Minu's educational journey was not always easy. As late as Basic Three, he struggled to distinguish between letters of the alphabet and numerals, often reading them together—for example, "A, B, C, 3, 4, 5...". At one point, his dream of becoming a teacher seemed almost impossible. Recognizing his learning difficulties, his dedicated teacher, Abdul-Rahaman Mustapha, intervened with patience, commitment, and determination. Through consistent guidance, individualized support, and various teaching strategies, Minu gradually overcame his challenges. By the time he advanced to Basic Four, he could confidently identify and read the English alphabet from A to Z. From that point onward, he continued to improve steadily through hard work and perseverance. Today, Minu is an excellent performer in his class and proudly joins the graduating class of 2026. One of the memorable moments of the graduation ceremony was when he was presented with his graduation certificate by the Program Director, Mr. Salifu Majeed—a proud and symbolic moment that reflects how far he has come. Minu's achievement is a powerful reminder that with the right support, determination, and faith, no challenge is insurmountable.

The graduation ceremony was a successful, educational, and memorable event. It provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Basic Six learners, acknowledge the dedication of their teachers and parents, and prepare the graduates for the next stage of their academic journey.

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THE ACADEMIC JOURNEY OF ABDUL-MINU

(as told by Basic 6 Teacher Abdul Rahman Mustapha)

This report provides a detailed account of the academic journey, challenges, interventions, and progressive improvement of Abdul-Minu, a Basic 6 learner at La'angum Learning Centre, Bumboazio. The report is based on close observation, direct instructional experience, and collaboration with colleague teachers.

Background Information

Abdul-Minu popularly known as Minu, was under my (Mustapha Abdul Rahman, Basic 6 Teacher) supervision in Basic Three. At that time, Minu demonstrated academic performance below grade level. Inquiries made from his previous teachers revealed that Minu had consistently faced learning challenges throughout his earlier classes. Minu's difficulties were pronounced in literacy, particularly in letter recognition, reading, and writing. Despite applying various instructional strategies and remedial approaches, Minu continued to struggle. His inability to identify and reproduce the basic alphabet was a great concern and necessitated a more individualized instructional plan. Recognizing the seriousness of Minu's situation, I developed a personalized learning intervention specifically tailored to his needs. The primary objective of this intervention was simple yet foundational: Minu was to learn one alphabet letter per day. Each morning, upon his arrival at school, I wrote a single alphabet letter for him, mentioned its name and sound, and guided him to practice writing it repeatedly. Before closing each day, typically within the last 30 minutes, Minu was called again to rewrite and pronounce the sound of the alphabet letter taught earlier. This process was continuous and systematic, beginning from the alphabet letter 'A' onwards.

Progress and Notable Observations

As we progressed to the alphabet 'G', Minu displayed the ability to write all letters from A to G. However, an interesting setback occurred during one of the reading sessions, when prompted to read the alphabet sequence, he responded: "A B C D 1 2 3 4.?" Although this response was unexpected, it became a defining moment that strengthened my resolve to help Minu overcome his literacy challenges. I reassured him of my commitment to support his dream of one day becoming a teacher, which further motivated both of us.

Abdul Muttalib assisting Minu in learning.

Continuous Support and Collaboration

With the help of dedicated colleague teachers and consistent reinforcement, Minu began to show signs of steady improvement. A peer-support system was later introduced, whereby he was paired with his classmate, Mutalib, a hardworking student who provides guidance and assistance to Minu at home and at school.

Current Academic Standing

Minu telling a story to his colleagues in the classroom

Today, Minu is in Basic Six and has made remarkable progress. He is now able to recognize and write alphabet letters independently, read simple sentences, write basic words and short sentences with guidance, and respond more actively during lessons.

While he still requires ongoing support, Minu's academic performance has seen a significant and encouraging transformation. Minu's exceptional storytelling skills are a notable highlight. He possesses a natural flair for spinning captivating tales. When he's given the opportunity to share a story, Minu transforms into a confident and charismatic storyteller, weaving intricate plots and vivid descriptions that transport his listeners to new worlds. His story telling prowess has become a valuable asset in the classroom.

In conclusion, Minu's journey reflects the power of personalized instruction, perseverance, and collaborative support. What began as a worrying academic struggle has evolved into a story of resilience and gradual success. With continued guidance from teachers and peers, Minu is well on his way to attaining greater academic confidence and pursuing his long-term aspiration of becoming a teacher.

Report submitted by:

Abdul Rahman Mustapha, Basic 6 Teacher

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In Memoriam: PAMBE Ghana Board Member Kathy Carey

With love and gratitude, we remember the many ways in which our friend and Board member Kathy Carey contributed to the mission of La’Angum Learning Center. As school founder Alice Iddi-Gubbels began to realize her dream of a school in her home village of Bumboazio Ghana in 2008, she tapped experienced OKC Montessori teacher Kathy Carey to train local teachers in Montessori education principles for children age 3-6. Kathy traveled to Ghana in 2008 and worked with the Ghanaian teachers, including four who are still teaching at the school. Kathy went on to serve as the first Board president of PAMBE Ghana. The impact of Kathy’s work is coming full circle as one of those initial teachers, Mary Azure, is set to travel to the U.S. next year to take a teacher training course in Montessori education for children age 6-9. We will deeply miss Kathy’s curiosity, independent spirit and zest for life!