Government alone cannot provide the educational needs of Ghanaians-

Essuman

Accra, June 14, GNA - Mr Ato Essuman, Member of the Council of State on Saturday observed that the provision of educational facilities is the responsibility of government, parents, corporate bodies and the community. He called on people who are in positions of responsibility to remember that they owe it a duty not only to their parents and the larger society but to the schools that nurtured them to become what they are today.

Mr Essuman made the observation at the 83rd Speech and Prize Giving Day of O'Reilly Senior High School, which was on the theme: "Providing quality education; the need for adequate learning materials and infrastructure." He said quality education could not be achieved without adequate teaching, learning materials and infrastructure as well as a good learning environment.

Mr Essuman said: "Government can never provide all we need in education in the quantum that may be critical to affect educational quality. It is the responsibility of all." He said education had always been the tool for the development of the people and as the world was changing so fast, Ghana could not afford to be left behind.

Mr Essuman said educating a child was not the sole responsibility of the teacher, but primarily the onus lied with the parents to mentor their offspring and provide them with their needs and support. He urged parents to view the education of their children as investment for future returns.

In her September 2007 to June 2009 report, the Headmistress, Mrs Mary Adu-Gyamfi said if O'Reilly was to keep in step with the well endowed schools, then stakeholders would have to invest to expand the school's facilities.

She said the land lord of the school had given less than two year's notice for the academic facility to be relocated. Mrs Adu-Gyamfi therefore appealed to stakeholders to show commitment towards acquisition of a new and a permanent campus for the school.

"Even if that does not happen, there would not be space for expansion work by the government to accommodate the four years education reform programme."

Mrs Adu-Gyamfi said the availability of adequate, modern and efficient facilities determined quality education. The school has a student population of 1,013 made up of 469 boys and 544 girls. 14 June 09