Ghana needs a long-lasting education policy

Takoradi, Feb 23, GNA - Mrs. Rebecca E. Dadzie, the Western Regional Director of Education, on Tuesday called on the government and other stakeholders in Education to develop a comprehensive national education policy that would stand the test of time and address the needs of children in both private and public schools.

She said education represented an invaluable investment in human capital so it was imperative to formulate a policy for all to serve as a legacy for posterity.

Mrs. Dadzie said this at the Regional launch of the 2010 Ghana National Association of Private Schools' Week at Takoradi. The week, christened: "A Non-Partisan State Policy on Education - A Must for Ghana" is to raise awareness on the need for a concrete policy that could help in the nation's development.

Mrs. Dadzie urged private schools positively respond to the government's call and participate fully in the provision of quality education. Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, lauded the contribution of private schools towards the development of the Ghanaian child, adding, "It is noteworthy that the performance of these children especially at the basic level is highly commendable."

He, however, said poor educational infrastructure and the attitude of some stakeholders in education had negatively affected the quality of education.

Mr. Benjamin Ntim, Regional Chairman of GNAPS, was not happy with the situation where private schools were excluded from major national programmes and activities such as national competitions and awards, capitations grants, free textbooks and uniforms and the school feeding programme. Mr. Godwin Sowah, the President of GNAPS, in a message called on the government to avoid the discriminatory practices that deny the Ghanaian child in the private school legitimate rights and benefits of quality education.