Communities asked to support government develop education

Techiman (B/A) Dec. 1 GNA - Alhaji Rashid Bawa, Minister of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, at the weekend reiterated the need for communities to support the government in the provision of good quality education in the country.

He said: " Our communities must not consider the government as the sole stakeholder in the improvement of education. The government, no matter how well intentioned it is to move education forward, simply do not have enough resources to accomplish this task alone".

The Minister was speaking at the 40th anniversary celebration of Techiman Senior Secondary School (SSS), which was under the theme, "Quality Education: The Role of the Community".

Alhaji Bawa appealed to philanthropists, non-governmental organisations, companies, religious bodies, district assemblies, traditional authorities and past students to assist in the improvement of education in the country. He bemoaned the recent spate of vandalism in some schools and attributed such unfortunate situations partly to certain "good for nothing elements worming themselves into the schools."

Alhaji Bawa also expressed regret about sexual promiscuity, alcoholism, lesbianism and other social vices common in schools in the country and condemned parents and guardians who interfere with disciplinary measures by school authorities.

He called on religious bodies and companies in the area to establish scholarship schemes to assist brilliant but needy students complete their education.

Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, noted that the region recently produced poor Basic Education Certificate Examination results and called on the people to initiate measures to help reverse the trend.

He gave the assurance that government would continue to formulate good policies and provide infrastructure, teaching and learning materials and funding to enhance education in the country.

Nana Seinti appealed to people to "put their hands to the wheel to advance the cause of education" and to assist curb hooliganism, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity among the youth.

Mr Isaac Kwame Antwi-Boasiako, headmaster of the SSS, appealed to individuals and organisations to donate money for the rehabilitation of the school's infrastructure .

Prizes were presented to deserving students and staff.