A suburb of Kumasi, is raising 25 million cedis as its 10 percent share of a 250 million-cedi Social Investment Fund (SIF) to build a block of six classrooms to end the shift system in the local Methodist Primary School. Mr Oppong Bediako, chairman of the School Management Committee, said each parent is contributing 45,000 cedis while the community will supplement through voluntary contributions and special education levy. He was speaking at an education forum at the weekend at Abrepo in Kumasi to discuss pertinent issues affecting the development and promotion of education in the area.

Mr Micheal Asubonteng, the Bantama circuit supervisor in the Kumasi metropolis, advised parents and guardians to put a stop to harassment on teachers to punish their wards. He said the national crusade against indiscipline would not achieve the desired impact if parents continue to attack teachers who punish their children. Nana Foah Abrayie, Queenmother of Abrepo-Kuma, stressed the importance of education to the socio-economic development of the country and advised parents not only to provide their children’s basic needs but also contribute meaningfully towards the Otumfuo Education Fund.

Mr Adjei Kodie, headteacher of the school, attributed the poor performance of the school in the 2001 Performance Monitoring Test (PMT) to lack of adequate books, stationery, truancy and large class enrolment.