NUGS unhappy with poor BECE/WASSCE results

Accra, Oct 27, GNA- The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has expressed concern over the poor performance of candidates of the Basic education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior Secondary School (WASSCE) in recent examinations being undertaken by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). The Union said Government must therefore make adequate allocation for the educational sector as it prepared the 2008 Budget, whiles students, parents and educational stakeholders also make concerted efforts to reverse the trend.

Mr Kweku Tuoho Bombason, NUGS President made the statement at a media interaction in Accra on Friday to share the visions and aspirations of the newly elected NUGS officers for 2007/2008. Mr Bombason said the provision of adequate resources must be government's priority to increase infrastructure and incentives for employees in the sector to forestall industrial action and facilitate the smooth implementation of the new Education Reforms. In relation with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) loan Scheme, the NUGS President said beneficiaries, especially fourth and third year students, have not yet received their package for the about to end semester, saying this was worrying considering the increment of fees, high cost of accommodation and living standards in and around campuses.

" For two years now, the SSNIT Loan Scheme has not received any increment. In view of this, NUGS wish to request government to consider increasing the loans to help make life a bit bearable for students and parents", he added.

Mr Bombason further called for streamlining of modalities regarding the implementation of the new student loan scheme: " The Student Trust", which would cater for students in their first and second years in tertiary institutions.

He commended the Public Accounts Committee for the on-going public hearing, saying it was an effective tool to free Ghana from corruption. The NUGS President also expressed concern on lack of consultation with policy makers, which had over the years accounted for poor student involvement in decision making.

" We wish to encourage the entire populace to take interest in the student movement, in terms of helping it to find her feet in our current democratic dispensation, after all a good NUGS means students will have a good power and less stress for parents and guardian", Mr Bombason added. Ms Afia Appiah, Manageress, Herge Foundation, a non-governmental organisation commended the students for adapting themselves to changing global demands, saying this was appropriate for the youth to assume new roles to contribute effectively to the country's development agenda. Dr Nii Alabi, a Communication Consultant also urged the students to adopt new attitudes that would change public perception on them and harness their student power to influence decision making and society. 27 Oct. 07

NSOC 13 Social Support Children Assin South District Education Directorate supports needy children

Assin Nsuaem (C/R), Oct. 27, GNA - The Assin South District Directorate of Education has provided uniforms, shoes, bags and mathematical sets to 40 brilliant but needy school children in the area. The Directorate has also provided polytanks for five schools to harvest rainwater to promote the hand-washing programme and to ensure the availability of portable water for drinking. The Danish Fund for International Development (DFID) and the Pilot Programmatic Scheme (PPS), a World Bank intervention provided funds for the projects. Ms Helena Arko, District Director in a speech urged Ghanaians not to regard such interventions by the government and its development partners to promote education of children of the country as an encouragement for parents to produce more children than they could conveniently cater for. Ms Arko said she was moved to solicit for funds to help the children when she saw their "tattered" uniforms. "Where one hails from should not be an impediment to his or her development," the District Director said and noted that children in the remote areas could compete with their counter parts in the cities provided they got the needed encouragement from parents and teachers. Ms Arko noted that the shabbily appearance of children had some psychological effect on their performance and appealed to parents to cut down on the cost of the material things they acquired and to invest in the education of their children. "Buy books, stationery and uniforms for your children to complement the efforts of government to provide quality education to the Ghanaians child", she expressed gratitude to the financiers of the items. Ms Eliza Dadzie, District School Health Education Programme (SHEP) Co-ordinator appealed to parents to ensure that the children took proper care of the items.

She appealed to teachers to encourage their children to wash their hands after break and also after visiting the toilet as that was the main source of contracting worms. Ochiso D/A Primary, Atobiase D/A Primary, Kwaata D/A Primary, Ongwa and Kumasi D/A Primary schools received the polytanks.