Mentally retarded school calls government help

Kumasi, Nov. 13, GNA - Authorities at the Garden City Special School for the mentally retarded persons at Asokore-Mampong in Kumasi, has appealed to government to upgrade the school's structure which is in a deplorable state. The school trains students in pre-vocational skills in leader works, batik, tie and dye, weaving and functional academic work. Mr George Yamoah Manu, the Headmaster, said conditions at the school were not the best which had affected the morale of the teaching staff. He said government's subvention to the school had reduced drastically. He said since the school re-opened last September, all the day students had stayed out because there was no money to fuel the bus that goes round to pick them daily.

The headmaster said out of staff strength of 53, only 10 live in the school, which made it difficult for healthy teacher-student relations to be developed. Currently there are 165 hyperactive children in the school. He said the school, which was started by some private individuals in the 1960s and absorbed by the Government in 1977, produced 10 graduates for the job market last year.

German philanthropist, Klaus Jahn and a Kumasi based-Lebanese businessman, Naja David have been supporting the school. Mr Manu called on individuals, churches and other organizations to come to the aid of the unfortunate children in the school. 13 Nov. 09