Government to invest in school infrastructure
Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Eastern Regional Minister, has said that government was determined to invest in the provision of classroom blocks to make it possible for Senior High Schools to admit new students in September.
He said for that reason the provision of school buses and other logistics would be suspended to channel those resources into the provision of classrooms.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said that decision was taken at the just ended regional ministers’ conference in Sunyani where many issues including education came up for discussion.
The regional minister, who was speaking at the inauguration of girls’ dormitory block for Mampong Akuapem Presbyterian SHS, said the issue of inadequate classrooms for the schools to run a successful academic programme was a national crisis that must be dealt with.
He said deprived community schools like the Mampong Akuapem SHS, Mangoase, Klo-Agogo, Asesewa and other community schools would be considered for other facilities alongside the provision of classrooms due to their deprived nature.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo commended the Parent/Teacher Association for the provision of the dormitory and other facilities for the school adding that education was a shared responsibility between the state, community and parents.
He said the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the school in the midst of logistical challenges was a remarkable feat and called on the Akuapem community to support it.
Mr Samuel Bannerman Mensah, Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), in a speech read on his behalf announced that government had granted the school permission to officially operate as a boarding school from next academic year
The headmaster of the school, Reverend Samuel Munyuhitum, said the school was severely handicapped in basic necessities such as classrooms, science laboratories, cookery department and dormitories.
He said “for all these 20 years all that government has provided apart from books are two-bedroom bungalows and an old Isuzu pick-up at the time when other well-endowed schools were being provided with additional items.”
He announced the institution of a scholarship scheme by the Rev Dr Joy Mante, the Akuapem Presbytery Chairman, as his contribution to the development of the school.
Source: GNA