Wa Municipality records low enrolment into primary one

Wa, Sept 13, GNA - Basic schools within Wa Municipality on Tuesday recorded low enrolment into primary one, far below the expectation of teachers and officials of the Ghana Education Service (GES). While some of the teachers blamed the low enrolment to the absence of Day Care Centres to feed Primary schools, others argued that the situation would change within some few weeks after schools re-opened for the 2005/2006 academic year.

Mr. Ambrose Dery, Upper West Regional Minister and Mr. C.S. Paaga, Regional Director of Education became aware of the situation when they visited some schools on re-opening day.

At Tindamba Primary school, only 12 children were enrolled by noon out of the 70 children expected to be enrolled, at Wa model school only 48 out of the 70 children had been enrolled.

Saint Andrews Primary school had only 55 children enrolled which was far below the expectation of the school authorities.

Mr. Dery gave the assurance that the Government would ensure the establishment of more Day Care Centres nation-wide this year to provide the needed foundation for primary schools.

He appealed to teachers to endeavour to make the implementation of the Free Compulsory Basic Education (FCUBE) programme successful. Mr. Paaga, who presented biscuits and caps to children who attended school for the first time advised headteachers to ensure the effective use of the Capitation grant.

He said implementation of the grant would reduce the financial burden on parents and guardians.

Teachers at the Tindamba Primary school, appealed to the Regional Minister for assistance to repair an abandoned classroom to be used as a Day Care Centre and a nursery for the school. 13 Sept.05