Assemblies urged to reduce taxes on private schools

Nkawkaw, Feb.21, GNA - Mr Obuadum Debra Banahene, Chairman of the Kwahu West District branch of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS), has appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies for a 30 per cent reduction in taxes on private schools. He said this would enable them reduce school fees for parents in the provision of quality education for their children. Mr Banahene made the appeal when addressing basic private school pupils from the district at Nkawkaw after a two-hour clean-up exercise on Tuesday, as part of activities marking this year's "GNAPS Week" celebration.

He noted that since private schools did not benefit from the Government's Capitation Grant, reduction in the taxes would enable private schools provide the needed infrastructure and educational materials to enhance effective teaching and learning. Mr Banahene said private schools within the district were currently paying between 300,000 cedis and 800,000 cedis per annum as taxes to the assembly.

He said though the association was contributing immensely towards provision of formal education to many children in the country, they did not receive adequate assistance from the Government to enhance their performance.

Mr Banahene pointed out that there was no technical and vocational institution in the district and therefore, appealed to the assembly, NGO's and philanthropists to collaborate with the association to establish one.

He called on the assembly to organize regular clean-up exercises in the town to clean the streets, lorry parks and gutters to reduce the high rate of malaria in the district.

Mr Joe Nyankamawu, Kwahu West District Co-ordinating Director, advised the children to avoid pre-marital sex and concentrate on their studies to become responsible adults to lead the nation in future. He urged them to be disciplined, respect their teachers, elders and avoid littering the streets and school compound with filth to avoid diseases in the communities.