It might be compulsory for parents to send children to school - Dep.

Minister

Kosane (B/A), Nov. 7, GNA - Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Deputy Minister of Information said on Thursday that it might be made compulsory for parents to send their children to school in the near future.

He warned that recalcitrant parents would be prosecuted, "since a child born is not only the property of the biological parents but also the state, hence the government has the authority over its training." The Deputy Minister, who is on a seven-day tour of Brong Ahafo, said this when he commissioned a 146 million cedis three-classroom block for a Primary school at Kosane, near Dormaa-Ahenkro. The European Union (EU) and the Dormaa District Assembly financed the project.

Mr Isaac Anaba, chairman of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the school was highly commended for the active role he played in getting the funds for the project.

Mr Asamoah-Boateng emphasized the importance of education and urged parents and guardians not to let the new block become a "white elephant".

You can go to your farms all right but for heavens sake do not let your school-going children follow you, especially on school days, he cautioned.

"Some of the children you see here today can progress to become politicians, medical doctors, teachers and other professionals to contribute to national development, and that is why the Government is duty-bound to assist in their training".

Mr. Asamoah Boateng explained that sporting activities played an essential part in the development of a human being, hence the amalgamation of the three Ministries of Education, Youth and Sports. He charged the school's headteacher, Mr Alfred Kofi Frimpong and staff to re-double efforts in teaching and training of the pupils. The Deputy Minister said they could do this better by paying occasional visits to the homes of the pupils to monitor the seriousness they attached to learning at home.

Mr Asamoah-Boateng noted that Library facility was an essential tool or component of a school to enhance teaching and learning. The District Chief Executive for Dormaa, Mr Emmanuel Duku, on behalf of the District Assembly promised to provide the school with a Library in due course.

Mr John Nketiah Sarfo, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regional Programme Manager of the EU commended Mr Anaba for making the project a success. He said between 1991 and 1998 the Union sponsored a total of 720 micro projects in Brong Ahafo at a cost of 12 billion cedis.

The Regional Manager cautioned the people not to let funeral expenses to overshadow the financing of their children's education. Mr Augustine Ampaabeng Kyeremeh, Dormaa District Director of Education appealed to communities like Besease and Kyeremekrom whose children attend school at Dormaa-Ahenkro to turn to Kosane.

Mr Kyeremeh who is also the Presiding Member of Dormaa District Assembly urged members of School Management Committees (SMC) and PTAS in the district to follow Mr Anaba's example for the development of the district.

The District Director commended the teachers in the area for the marked improvement in the performance of candidates in this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination. The school, established in 1964, scored its best ever aggregate of 13 in last year's examination.