General News of Friday, 27 November 2009

Source: GNA

Check rot at Swedru vocational training center

Agona Swedru, Nov 27, GNA- The Student Representative Council(SRC) of the National Vocational Training Centre at Agona Swedru has called on the Minister of Manpower and Social Welfare to investigate alleged financial malfeasance at the school. This would halt corrupt practices on the part of some school authorities.

Master Zegeson Laing, President of the Council said these at the school on Wednesday at Agona Swedru, when the students attempted to stage a protest march against authorities.

The Students, wearing red arm-bands and read head gears chanted war songs, accusing their teachers of cheating and all sort of practices that could jeopardize their future.

According to Master Zegeson, classes were held ones a week, a situation that could affect their academic performance, adding that there were not enough tables and chairs compelling some student to stand during teaching. He noted that there was no toilet facility at the school and students both boys and girls were compelled to use an abandoned one. He said the accountant of the school, Mr. Felix Quansah had allowed teachers to collect school fees, a situation that was against government's directives to pay the fees in bankers draft or money order at the banks. The President said the four of nine juvenile prisoners at the school had absconded due to poor care on the part of the authorities. Mr. Isaac Adengabi, headmaster of School when contacted confirmed most of the allegations and said that "the practice whereby some teachers collected school fees was an oversight". He said the poor facilities at the school were common problems facing Vocational Training Centers especially schools under Ministry of Manpower and Social welfare nationwide.