Government's performance in education sector crucial in 2012 elections

Ho, May 19, GNA - Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, Education Minister, has observed that government's performance in the education sector would be a critical factor in the 2012 elections. He therefore urged Regional Chairmen and other frontline leaders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to study the portion of the Party's manifesto on education and ensure that government's initiatives in that sector succeed.

Mr Tettey-Enyo made the call when he delivered a paper on "The Better Ghana Agenda - The Education Focus," at the maiden conference of Regional Chairmen of the NDC in Ho.

He said the performance of government in its human development agenda depended on its successes in the education sector, hence the government's seriousness in tackling the challenges in that sector. "In fact, the Better Ghana begins with a strong education of our people in all ways that will enhance their ability to be functional citizens in a new age that is driven by science, information, communication and technology," he said.

Mr Tettey-Enyo said the government had therefore initiated a number of innovations towards ensuring that quality education opportunities became available in every part of the country. These initiatives include assistance to private educational institutions duly registered with the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to enable them to provide quality services under very strict quality standards.

"This has become necessary because growing urbanization has made it impossible to reach communities in remote areas with education facilities," Mr Tettey-Enyo said.

Other initiatives would include the provision of bus services and similar incentives to pupils and students, abolition of the shift system through the provision of more classrooms, provision of school uniforms to pupils from poor households, as well as free exercise books. He said a National Literacy Acceleration Programme and the Teaching and Learning Programme which would target kindergarten and lower primary levels, as well as programmes to improve pupil learning achievements by enhancing teaching methodologies.

He said the National Teaching Council and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment would soon be established in addition to the National Inspectorate Board which had already been established and expected to begin work in September this year, to be responsible for quality assurance in the education sector. Other areas to receive serious attention are Technical and Vocational Education and the Non-Formal Education. 19 May 10