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General News of Friday, 17 November 2000

Source: GNA

Presidential aspirant calls education reform political gimmick

Dr Edward Mahama, presidential candidate of the People's National Convention (PNC), on Wednesday said the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) programme, instituted by the government is only a gimmick meant to score political points.

He said the FCUBE programme is in a mess and can never be said to be free. Dr Mahama said this at a party rally at Wa to end his five days campaign tour of the Upper West region.

He said under the FCUBE, parents are still buying books and furniture for their wards and children whose parents cannot provide them with these things, either drop out, sit on stones or lie on their stomach to learn.

The PNC presidential candidate said under a PNC free basic education programme no parent will buy books or furniture for their children because their needs would be well catered for.

Dr Mahama urged the electorate to give the PNC their mandate on December 7, elections to enable it to implement the good policies and programmes that it has for the people.

He said the PNC is a peace loving party adding, "this is why when our supporter was stabbed to death at Bolgatanga and another was thrown into a well in Tamale, we did not take to arms."

Dr Mahama promised to strengthen the judiciary by motivating and equipping them to dispense justice to all. The PNC presidential candidate alleged that the NDC was transporting large numbers of voters from Bolgatanga to Tumu to transfer their votes to the Sissala constituency to vote for their candidate and asked the party's supporters to be vigilant on voting day