Admission Problems ... Gov't to Expand Existing Schools

The Government has expressed its intention to expand old existing Secondary Schools in the country to enable them accommodate all qualified students, who have satisfied the accepted pass mark set by the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC).

This move is intended to enable students who fall within the required pass mark to be admitted into so-called privileged schools, which tend to be in high demand by students.

The Minister of Basic and Girl-child Education, Hon. Christine Churcher revealed this in an interview with the Chronicle at the inauguration of Royal House Chapel/BASIC Trust International Scholarship Scheme in Accra, over the week-end.

She noted that students from rural schools who are able to make the required grade, could not get schools within their regions in view of the fact that such schools raise the level of passes they require.

This, she observed, had prevented students from rural areas from benefiting from such quality educational institutions.

The Royal House Chapel/Basic Trust International Scholarship Scheme instituted five years ago, has over 50 beneficiaries from nursery to the tertiary level.

The scheme, which started with only members of the church, has now broadened its programme to cover non-members of the church and, therefore, accepted government's call to provide good and quality education to needy people in the society.

The Royal House Chapel is one of the few churches which has heeded government's call to provide quality education to the needy.

In her inaugural speech, Hon. Churcher, also Minister of Parliament (MP) for Cape Coast noted that, education is a necessity for everybody and therefore, the needy should be aided in acquiring quality education.

Expressing her annoyance on irresponsible parents, Hon. Churcher challenged them not to neglect their children since God would judge their evil deeds.

She, however, advised the beneficiaries of the scheme, to take their education seriously and make good use of the monies invested in them by the church.

The General Overseer of the Royal House Chapel; Rev. Sam Korankye-Ankrah expressed his appreciation to individuals and organisations who contributed to the sustenance of the scheme.

He further expressed his gratitude to heads of institutions that admit beneficiaries of the scheme.