Why exclude private schools from Capitation Grant?

Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - Capitation Grant must be extended to private institutions if government truly believes that education is a right and should be for all, Nii Amasah Namoale, Member of Parliament for Dadekotopon Constituency said last Saturday.

He said, "Denying the private institutions of such assistance when, in actual fact most of them have poor infrastructure base, is like showing very little appreciation to their contribution to the overall development of education."

Nii Namoale, who was speaking at a Silver Jubilee celebration of the Gaku Preparatory and Junior Secondary School at La in Accra called on government to heed the many calls that had come to extend the Capitation Grant facility to include private schools.

He said in as much as government believes in free market enterprise and private ownership, it was also important for it to give the implementation of the educational policy a human face so as to level the playing field for all children to benefit from educational opportunities.

"When it is extended to the private institutions, it's the Ghanaian child who benefit and the state also gains," Nii Namoale said. The Dadekopon MP noted that some private institutions were barely surviving in spite of their good performances because of poor infrastructure.

"If they can be supported somehow, they would be able to mobilize enough funds and channeled them into the development of modern facilities," he added.

He called on proprietors of private schools to endeavour to put in place the needed structures that would ensure the sustenance of their institutions in the event of their demise.

Nii Namoale described as unfortunate situations where private schools in some parts of the country, especially in La had had to be closed down because the proprietor passed away and there was no proper succession plan.

"If we say we are putting education first, then let's holistically look at it well and put in place the necessary structures for our children," he said.

Mr Ebenezer. O. Laate, Head Master of Gaku said the school has had a checkered history growing from a small and humble beginning in a wooden structure.

"Today, we are proud to put up a modern concrete storey-building structure," he said noting that many great sons and daughters of La, especially passed through the school.

He said this noble achievement rested on the theme of the celebration, which was, "25 years on, Committed to Growing a Disciplined, Diligent and Purposeful Youth for Ghana's Continued Development."

The children marked the celebration with a parade by the school cadet corps, cultural displays, songs and choreography performances.