Don't use feeding programme to deny children food at home

Accra, Jan 19, GNA - Parents have been advised not to use the school feeding programme as an excuse to deny their children and wards balanced diet at home.

The advice was given by the MP for Odododiodioo Constituency, Mr. Jonathan Nii Tackie Komme at the inauguration of a canteen for the Ayalolo Cluster of Schools in Accra on Friday.

He noted that the School Feeding Programme and other interventions such as the capitation grant were not meant to take away the responsibilities of parents from caring for their children since they are only to assist them as a poverty alleviation intervention. Nii Tackie Komme called on them to take the education of their children seriously, saying, "If you educate a grown up you educate an individual but if you educate a child you educate a generation and society".

He explained that the canteen had reached the lintel stage and following an appeal to him for assistance he provided nine thousand five GH=A2 900.00 from his share of the GETFund to roof and complete the structure to enable the pupils to have a decent place to have their meals.

The MP promised to provide funds for the construction of toilet facilities.

The Accra Metropolitan Director of Education, Nii Okaidja Dinsey, explained government policy for community participation in the provision of education facilities.

He said that, even though it was the responsibility of Assemblies to expand and provide facilities for education in their areas, many schools lacked amenities and commended the MP for his assistance towards provision of educational infrastructure in the area.

Mr. Dinsey stated that efforts were being made to get as many stakeholders as possible to assist in the provision of education facilities to encourage as many people as possible to go to school. Nii Tackie Komme later commissioned a refurbished Computer Laboratory for the Sacred Heart Technical Institute at Jamestown in Accra.

He pointed out that Information Communication Technology (ICT) had become a major driving force and a tool for promoting development, combating poverty and facilitating the integration of developing countries into the global economy.

The MP stated that in spite of the fact that the Ghana Education Service had made ICT a core subject in its examination a large number of schools did not have the facility.

He said to help alleviate this plight in the area he has already opened a 21 Computer Laboratory at the Holy Trinity Secondary School and a Computer Laboratory equipped with 15 computers at the Accra Sempe Primary School.

Nii Tackie Komme said he spent GH=A2 4,950.00 to provide the computers, a cabinet and other accessories hooked to the INTERNET. Madam Eleanor Swatson-Brown, Vice Principal, appealed for assistance towards the provision of a Science Laboratory and a vehicle to solve the transportation problems of the Institute.

Mr. Dinsey advised the students to take the study of ICT seriously since it was now a core subject.

He told them to count themselves lucky to have access to the facility and to take good care of the computers since many schools did not have ICT laboratories.

Among those present at the ceremony were Nii Amarkai III, Asene Dzasetse who chaired the function, opinion leaders and parents. 19 Jan. 09