Capitation grant has not cancelled parental support- Onyinah

Obuasi, May 22, GNA - The government's capitation grant policy has not cancelled the individual and collective support towards the promotion of quality basic education in the country.

Mr. Joseph K. Onyinah, Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, said this at the joint third graduation ceremony of Brahabebome Independence JSS 'A' and 'B' schools at Obuasi.

"Let me emphasize that parental support towards basic education delivery has not been taken over by the implementation of the capitation grant".

The Municipal Director said whilst the capitation grant had come to cushion parents in their stress in fees and levies payments, they could support education delivery in various ways including assisting teachers to maintain discipline in the schools.

He expressed surprise about the attitude of some parents who had completely placed their child's education at the doorstep of the government and teachers all because of the capitation grant. Mr. Onyinah said these same parents offered the necessary support including the payment of huge fees to their children and wards at private basic schools.

He regretted that parental support towards the promotion of public basic education in the municipality was totally discouraging. Mr. Onyinah commended the teachers for working under strenuous conditions saying, "Averagely, a teacher in these schools handle over 60 students in a class".

"You will therefore agree with me that the teachers are working under strenuous conditions and they need great commendation and appreciation".

He advised the students who passed out not to assume that they were now grown-ups, but rather they should continue to be obedient and respectful to their parents and the elderly in the society. Madam Grace Sarpomaa Amoako, the headmistress of JSS 'B', who spoke on behalf of the schools, said the parents had started the construction of a two-storey classroom block to help address the congestion in the schools.

She however said the feet-dragging attitude of some of them had brought the project to a standstill.

In all, 185 final-year students graduated from the two schools this year.