EQUAL/GAIT II Programme launched in Fanteakwa

Begoro, Aug 10, GNA - The EQUAL/GAIT II programme under USAID has been launched at Begoro in the Fanteakwa District on Monday and it will operate in the district for four years.

The programme aims at ensuring democratic governance and development of education in 28 communities in the district.

Launching the programme on the theme: "to improve Basic Education and Local Governance", Mr Ebenezer Ofoe Caesar, the District Chief Executive for Fanteakwa, appealed to chiefs, assembly members, heads of departments, churches and the people to pool resources to make the programme succeed.

Mr Caesar said the district assembly sponsored over 200 teacher trainees who have completed training and are stationed in schools in the district to improve teaching and learning while 200 others are under training.

He said the assembly had built 50 school buildings within the last four years to improve education in the district and commended the USAID for extending the EQUAL/GAIT II programme to the district.

Mr Stephen Peter-Andoh, the Fanteakwa District Director of Education, said the government would supply enough textbooks from the GETFUND to all primary schools from next academic year. He said Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) fees are excluded from the government capitation fee programme but PTA fund and schools' printing fees are included.

Mr Peter-Andoh urged parents to take advantage of the fee-free policy to enrol their children in schools and said head teachers in primary schools who collect illegal levies would be sanctioned. Osabarima Awuah Kotoko II, Begorohene, appealed to the district assembly to complete and furnish the Begoro Community Library with books.