The CareGuide Montessori School, located in Gbawe, in the Ga-South District of Accra, elected 13 Prefects for its Primary and JHS departments.

Management of CMS also appointed nine Prefects for the Pre-school department. The election process, which largely reflected the national model for the General Elections, provided a timely opportunity for Pupils to learn about the key principles of ethical leadership in line with the CMS holistic vision for child development.

The Director of the School, Mad. Betty Akumatey, a retired Senior Member of the Department of Sociology, University of Ghana and Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, launched the Elections by outlining its week-long programme of activities and also explaining the concept of Leadership to the Pupils, ahead of the School's 2019 Graduation ceremony on 27th July, 2019, themed 'The African Child in a Globalized Society'.

She carefully drew pupils' attention to the importance of academic excellence and good character for effective leadership, by making pupils aware of the implications of their total comportment both in their studies and social behaviour, as the key yardstick for appointment of Preschool prefects from KG1 and selection of eligible nominees from the JHS2 class.

The impact of this approach on pupils conduct and classroom management was striking, as it infused the general atmosphere in classrooms with noticeable seriousness, while Preschoolers and older Pupils alike became increasingly reflective as they pondered over the stringent conditions imposed on all leadership aspirants, within the context of ethical leadership.

Filing of Nominations & Vetting

A total of 19 eligible JHS2 pupils completed and submitted their Nominee Forms, briefly indicating their personal information, position(s) vying for, and reasons for their decision to stand for election. This was followed by a two-day vetting process which was based on clearly outlined criteria previously explained to all pupils.

These included neatness and general personal hygiene, prompt homework and classwork submission, character and general comportment, e.g. damaging school property, stealing, rudeness, bullying, fighting and insubordination. Leadership qualities included high academic performance, punctuality, personal initiative, communication skills, self-control, politeness and mobilization skills.

Manifesto presentation and Voting Rules

Candidates took turns to present their written individual Manifestos at a gathering featuring their peers, teaching and non-teaching staff and management, on 3rd July, 2019, to usher in the two-day campaign process, after all the 13 who were shortlisted after vetting submitted their signed Parental consent forms. The rules for the election campaign and voting, which were clearly provided included the ff:

• No intimidation from Candidates
• No inducements (sharing of money, sweets or any gifts) to influence votes.
• All posters, handbills shall be presented for approval

 Voting

The election of Prefects for the 2019/2020 Academic Year was successfully held in an orderly manner amidst a peacefully atmosphere. Voting began at 11:00am and ended 1:25pm, followed immediately by counting and collation of results by 2:30pm. An average of 216 votes were cast for each of the 7 positions contested for. Representatives of all contestants were present during counting and collation of the votes. Results declaration then followed during the closing assembly amidst great jubilation and excitement.

Election Results

Appointed Preschool Prefects