Government urged to extend capitation grant to private schools

Odupong Ofaakor, July 18, GNA- The government has been called upon to extend the capitation grant to cover private schools. Any attempt to leave them behind could cause serious harm to the provision of quality education that the nation wanted to achieve. Madam Elizabeth Annan, Proprietor of the Unique Foundation International School, was speaking at the first graduation of the school at Odupong Ofaakor in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya district of the Central Region.

She said the government had started supplying textbooks and teaching materials to private schools that catered for about 60 percent of school children in the country whose parents also honour their tax obligation and other social responsibilities as citizens.

She noted that the school started in 2002 with five but now had 370 pupils and said it was to introduce Information Technology soon. She urged parents to invest in their children's education since this was the only legacy they could bequeath to them.

Madam Annan appealed to the government to reduce taxes on private schools since some paid between 2 million and 5 million cedis annually. She said plans are far advance to start a Senior Secondary School (SSS) for children in and around Ofaakor and Awutu Bawjiase, instead of travelling long distances to Agona Swedru, Cape Coast and other areas. Bishop Kwkeu Addei, Founder and Leader of the Church called on parents to provide the basic amenities that would facilitate the education of their children to help them to become responsible future leaders.

He presented certificates and prizes to some of the students and pupils for their performances. 18 Jul 06