Meeting to review education held

Saltpond, July 4, GNA - The Mfantseman District Directorate of Education in collaboration with the Quality Education, Learning for All (EQUALL), a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) intervention, has held a review meeting with stake holders to find solutions to problems impeding the delivery of quality education in the district.

The aim of the EQUALL is to ensure quality education in 20 selected districts in the country including Mfantseman where it is sponsoring 18 schools.

It provides grants for capacity building of teachers, managerial skills for heads of schools, school management committees (SMCS) Parent-teacher associations and supervisors of schools. It also provides logistics for monitoring and supervision of schools as well as teaching and learning materials for schools. The review was based on a survey conducted in 30 schools, which indicated that 267 schoolgirls in the district got pregnant within four years, which meant teenage pregnancy was very high in the district. A reading test conducted for 450 children in some selected primary schools was also disappointing.

Speaking at the function, which was attended by chiefs, assembly members, heads of schools, teachers and circuit supervisors, Mr. Stephen Amoako, National Co-ordinator of Education Manager Improvement component of EQUALL, said it was time EQUALL sought value for resources it had invested in education in the country.

Our aim is to assist in the delivery of quality education but the performance of pupils in our schools is nothing to write home about despite the heavy resources invested in them. It is now time for us to move a step ahead to manage for better results, he stated.

Mr. Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Mfantseman District Chief Executive, reminded teachers that they could make or unmake the future of children under their care and urged them to be dedicated. Miss Vivian Etroo, District Director of Education, called for a ban of teachers in public schools to make them more serious in class. The survey revealed that teachers, catechists, military personnel, students and some prominent citizens were responsible for such pregnancies, which they often denied and failed to accept responsibilities.

Presenting a report on the teenage pregnancy situation as recorded in health facilities in the district, Miss Mavis Narh, District Public Nurse, said in 2003, 978 cases were recorded, 1026 in 2004, 9876 in 2005 and 1244 in 2006.

The participants called for by-laws and the enforcement of laws to debar children from nocturnal activities such as wake keepings, video and concert shows.

Teachers should occupy children with homework.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Felicia Ayensu, Central Regional Coordinator of Domestic Violenc and Victims Support Unit (DVVSU) of the Police Service, Inspector Patrick Yaboah, Saltpond District Crime Officer, two teenage mothers and their parents also contributed to the discussions. 04 Jul 07