"Government will live up to its responsibilities"-Asamoah

Koforidua April 07 GNA-Mr. Alex Asamoah, New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, on Wednesday reiterated Government's commitment to live up to its responsibilities of providing quality education to the people. He said in that regard government had already increased the Capitation Grant from GHC 3.00 to GHC 4.50 per child and would continue with that adjustment as when the need arose.

Mr. Asamoah who was speaking at this year's Eastern Regional Education Sector Annual Review in Koforidua said government was very keen in the implementation of the Free Feeding Programme in schools and would soon spread it to cover many schools. "The free bus system for school children will also be vigorously upheld. Government has started the implementation of supplying free school uniforms to pupils". He said the government would continue to supply free text and exercise books to pupils in schools to enhance education delivery in the country.

Mr. Asamoah said to improve the image and status of teachers, government had instituted certain interventions in the Ghana Education Service. Those measures, he said, included the upgrading of Teacher Training Colleges into Colleges of Education and upgrading of Teacher's Certificate to Diploma status adding that best teacher awards scheme would continue to feature on government's annual calendar. Other interventions were the institution of Distance Education for Teachers to upgrade and improve their proficiency and teaching skills. Mr. Asamoah said in view of those measures and interventions, government expected teachers to play crucial roles to ensure the success of education delivery in the country. Daasebre Dr. Oti Boateng, Omanhene of New Juaben, who presided, called for the provision of good educational infrastructure to help promote quality education.

He observed that the promotion of quality education was not about the duration of the school system but rather motivation for teachers as well as the provision of the needed infrastructure. Daasebre Oti Boateng said: "You can extend Senior High School for six years but without the needed infrastructure, you are beating about the bush".