General News of Wednesday, 15 October 1997

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A Non Governmental Organisation Adopts School

Kojoman (Eastern Region), 14 Oct. Caring Kids International, a non- governmental organisation, has adopted St Joseph's Primary and Junior Secondary Schools at Kojoman, near Nsawam, for a programme called Caring Kids. The programme aims, among others, at introducing toddlers to English words very early, exposing children to current technology by having access to computers and instilling into them basic principles that guarantee success. Speaking to the GNA during a visit to the school yesterday, Ms Akosuah Sarpong, Director of the programme, said the pilot project will centre mainly in Accra. It will cater for about 15 schools and would become national by January next year. Ms Sarpong said ''if children are not exposed to the English language now, they would end up being handicapped in future.'' ''The problem facing Ghana is not the lack of resources but rather the effective use of the English language which must be dealt with at the roots.'' When this is done, she said, imparting knowledge and information would be easier. Ms Sarpong said this would enable Ghana to change its third world status to a model country by the year 2020. She announced that the programme would offer scholarships for needy children through the Dr. Mary Ann Scholarship Fund which was instituted during her funeral. Dr. Mary Ann Okine, a medical officer, died as a result of an infection she contacted while on duty. Ms Sarpong appealed to businessmen, communities and organisations to support this programme and the Institute of Human Potentials which she hopes to establish soon for children.