Government says it will ensure successful take-off of 4-year SHS

Cape Coast, May 10, GNA - The Minister of Education, Mr. Alex Tettey-Enyo, has said the government would provide infrastructure for a successful take-off of the four-year Senior High School (SHS) system which starts in September.

He said classrooms, dormitories, dining halls, vehicles and other facilities would be provided..

Mr Tettey-Enyo said this at the 70th Anniversary and Speech and Prize Giving Day of Aggrey Memorial A.M.E Zion Senior High School at Cape Coast. He said it would require the support of all stakeholders to ensure a smooth take-off and urged all to work in partnership with government to find solutions to the challenges to be encountered. Mr Tettey-Enyo said approval had been granted for the expansion of a two-storey 12-unit classroom block under construction in the school into a three-storey 18-unit block to accommodate more first year students. A Supreme Court judge, Mrs. Justice Margaret Welbourne who was the guest speaker, said it would require a massive investment in education to secure a better future prospect for the nation's development and improved quality life for its people.

She said it was the government's responsibility to provide accessible education to all its citizens, particularly at basic and secondary levels and urged it to make adequate budgetary allocation for the provision of infrastructure, educational materials and improved conditions of service for staff. Mrs. Justice Welbourne said the youth should be given attention and training to enable them to assume leadership positions in future. The Headmaster of the school, Mr. Akwasi Amoako Amoantwi, appealed to the government, PTA, old students and other stakeholders to assist in completing a 27-unit classroom block initiated by the PTA to create more room for the first batch of students for the four year system. On performance he said 413 candidates sat the 2008/2009 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and 384 passed in six or more subjects representing 92.98% and a significant improvement of 20.48% over that of the previous year. He said the some challenges of the school among others are insufficient classrooms, dormitories and staff bungalows, ill-resourced computer laboratories, libraries and an infirmary. He expressed gratitude to the government, the school's Board of Governors, the PTA, old students and other institutions for their support for the school. 10 05 10