Bawku school children asked to stay at home

Accra, May 2, GNA - Mr Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, has asked the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (UERCC) to revoke its decision not to reopen schools in the Bawku Municipality because of the impending funeral of Madam Hawa Yakubu, Former MP of the Constituency.

In statement issued in Accra on Wednesday, Mr Ayariga condemned "the directive since it is not only inconsistent with what Madam Hawa Yakubu probably stood for, but also bad policy, illegal and detrimental to the interest of children in the Constituency".

He said he did not see any relationship between the death and organisation of the funeral of Madam Hawa Yakubu and the education of the children in the area.

Mr Ayariga explained that Madam Hawa Yakubu "is to be buried in Pusiga (where she hails from) about 20 kilometres away from Bawku. The schools in Bawku Central are nowhere near the burial grounds. All the schools in the country are reopening today, Wednesday, 2nd May 2007. The late Madam Hawa Yakubu will be laid to rest on Saturday the 5th May. For what rational reasons should the children in the Constituency be denied access to school until the 8th of May, several working days before the funeral?"

When the GNA contacted Madam Florence Pobe, Bawku Municipal Director of Education, she said the Municipal Directorate of Education received a circular from the Upper East Regional Directorate of Education rescheduling the reopening date of basic school in the Municipality.

She said the decision was taken by the Regional Coordinating Council at Bolgatanga and the Regional Minister, Mr Boniface Gambilla had asked that further verification be directed to him. When the GNA contacted the Regional Directorate of Education, the Regional Director of Education, Madam Elizabeth Ayiri Mwinkaar, was said to have travelled outside the Region.

When GNA went round the Bawku Township, only two private basic schools were in session while the public ones had been locked up. Mr Boniface Gambilla, Upper East Regional Minister, told the numerous sympathisers expected on Saturday and Sunday. He said no decision was taken to reschedule the reopening of basic schools. 2 May 07