Govt is addressing shortfalls in educational system

Goaso (B/A) July 25, GNA - Nana Kwadwo Kwakye, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, has assured the people in Asunafo North District that the government was making efforts in addressing the shortfalls and inadequacies in the country's educational system.

He explained that the government's move was to make the system more responsive to the requirements of "today's modern scientific and technological world and in consonance with its policy of improving human resources of the country to propel it into a middle income nation by the year 2015".

The Deputy Minister was addressing chiefs, teachers, students and a cross section of the people in Asunafo North District of Brong Ahafo at a launch of the district's Educational Endowment Fund at Goaso. He congratulated the District Assembly for responding to the call by the government to complement the standard of education in the district by instituting the fund.

Nana Kwakye however expressed regret about the abysmal performance of some schools in the district, saying the situation was "more grievous" in the rural communities.

Providing statistics on the performance of the then Asunafo District in the BECE over the last six years in terms of regional rating, he said the district placed third in 1997, third in 1998, second in 1999, eighth in 2000, 12th in 2001, 10th in 2002, ninth in 2003 and 6th in 2004.

Nana Kwakye noted that the reasons for the low performance were not "far fetched", adding the district was not alone in this matter, stating that the reasons included lack of educational infrastructure, insufficient teachers and lack of exercise books.

Mr. Frimpong Boadu, Asunafo North District Coordinating Director, said considering the critical role that education played in socio-economic development, it was a shared responsibility of the central government, the municipal and district assemblies, non-governmental organizations and the country at large.

He urged citizens and communities in the district to contribute to the fund, since it was only through their active participation that its goals could be achieved.

Mr. Boadu implored all well-meaning citizens of the area and the other well wishers to contribute generously to the fund for its sustenance.

The Reverend Father Timothy Kankam, Acting District Director of Education, commended the government for instituting the capitation grants and free feeding programme.

He said the capitation grant had significantly helped to increase enrolment in schools in the district from 29 per cent to 31 per cent. The acting director appealed to parents to take advantage of the policy and enrol heir children in schools.