First SHS Four classroom block completed for Awudome SHS

Tsito-Awudome (V/R) Sept. 8, GNA - The Awudome Senior High School (SHS) in the Volta Region became the first school in the country to have its additional six-unit classroom block completed for the 2010-2011 academic year under the four-year SHS.

The GH¢257,000 project funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund and undertaken by Maxsony Company Limited in two months, was under the =91Emergency Construction Project" of the Ghana Education Service.

The six-classroom block comprised two washrooms, a recreational room and water storage tank.

Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, Minister of Education, who commissioned the facility on Wednesday, commended the Contractor for completing the project one-and-a-half month ahead of time.

He said the dispatch with which the project was undertaken was proof of Ghanaian contractors' ability to deliver on time and was hopeful that other contractors on similar projects would meet the end of September 2010 deadline.

Mr Tettey-Enyo said the commissioning of the projects demonstrated government's commitment to SHS education and a fulfillment of its pledge to mitigate potential bottle-necks to the four year SHS programme.

He said a total of 214 six-unit classroom blocks would be constructed nationwide to ease pressure on schools, which do not have enough structures to accommodate the fourth year students.

Mr Tettey-Enyo entreated the headmaster of AWUSCO and the traditional authorities whom he described as 93ultimate owners" of the project to ensure its maintenance.

Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister, said 14 out of 21 such projects in the Region were at roofing levels and hoped all would be completed on time.

He urged management of the School and students especially to take care of the facility.

Mr Cyprian K. Otti, Headmaster of AWUSCO expressed appreciation to the contractor and government promised to ensure the maintenance of the facility.

He said since the establishment of the School 48 years ago, it had not seen any major rehabilitation with only marginal expansion of facilities to take care of the increasing student population.

Mr Otti said the School needed additional classrooms, dormitories, an administration block, an assembly hall and staff bungalows to match other class 93A" schools.

He said the Science Block built in 1972 had become dangerous for carrying out science practical and called for assistance from stakeholders.

Togbe Gobo Dake XII, Dufia of Tsito commended government for the foresight and hoped other infrastructure would be completed in time so that teaching and learning would not be adversely affected across the country.