The Proprietress of Hilltop International British (HIBS) School in Kumasi, Mrs. Cecilia Agyei-Amoako, has dismissed widespread claims that the school charges exorbitant fees, insisting that its tuition remains affordable and competitive with institutions offering similar standards of education.
She said the perception that the school charges fees in foreign currency was entirely false, explaining that all fees are charged in Ghana cedis and are comparable to those of other top-tier private schools.
“Our fees are very moderate. The impression out there is that Hilltop School charges in dollars. That is never true. We charge in Ghana cedis, and when you compare our fees with schools on our level, you will realise that they are very reasonable,” she stated.
Mrs. Agyei-Amoako made the remarks in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the school’s 12th graduation ceremony in Kumasi.
The event, held under the theme, “A New Phase Begins: Shaping Tomorrow with Cambridge Experience,” saw 73 students graduate from the Primary, Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary and Cambridge Advanced Level programmes.
The proprietress explained that Hilltop International British School has, for nearly three decades, combined the Ghana Education Service curriculum with the Cambridge International curriculum to provide parents with a broad range of educational opportunities for their children.
She noted that the school had also expanded to include a senior high school, enabling students to continue their education within the institution.
Mrs. Agyei-Amoako said the school’s commitment to academic excellence earned it recognition as a “Hilltop Platinum School” by the Ayekoo Foundation in acknowledgment of its outstanding academic achievements.
She encouraged parents interested in enrolling their children to visit the school and engage directly with management rather than relying on misconceptions circulating.
She urged parents to place greater emphasis on the quality of education, values and opportunities available to their children rather than making decisions based solely on public perception or hearsay.
According to Mrs. Agyei-Amoako, Hilltop International British School remains committed to producing academically excellent and morally upright students capable of competing globally.
She said the institution provides learners with a conducive environment that promotes academic excellence, creativity, critical thinking and character development.
Addressing the graduating students, Mrs. Agyei-Amoako encouraged them to remain focused and confident as they transition to the next stage of their educational journey.
She reminded them that they were ambassadors of the school and urged them to uphold the discipline, integrity and values instilled in them during their time at the institution.
“Go out there with confidence and let the world know where you are coming from. We believe you are fully prepared for the future, and we wish you every success,” she said.
The Head of the school, Mr. Patrick Kwesi Essiam, stressed that quality education depends not only on well-designed curricula but also on the calibre and commitment of teachers entrusted with the development of children.
He explained that the school places a strong emphasis on recruiting teachers with the right attitude, patience and passion for nurturing young minds, noting that academic qualifications alone are insufficient.
“Not everybody is fit to handle children,” he said, adding that effective teaching requires educators who understand the emotional, social and intellectual needs of learners at different stages of their development.
Mr. Essiam said the school continuously invests in the professional development of its teaching staff to ensure they remain abreast of modern teaching methods and international best practices.
According to him, the rapid evolution of education requires teachers to constantly update their skills to meet the changing needs of learners in an increasingly competitive global environment.
He reaffirmed the school’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards while providing a holistic education that equips students with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills required to excel in higher education and future careers.
Mr. Essiam also expressed appreciation to parents for their continued confidence in the school and pledged that management would continue to invest in quality teaching, modern learning facilities and student development programmes to sustain the institution’s reputation for academic excellence.
