Winneba (C/R), Dec. 4, GNA - Leaders of the Brong Ahafo Students Union (BASU), have appealed to parents in the Region that had persistently denied their children basic education, to take advantage of the Capitation Grant to enrol such children in schools in their areas without further delay.

The Union made the call at a press briefing at Winneba on Monday after presenting a special congratulatory message to Professor Akwasi Asabere Ameyaw, Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba and a son of the Region on his appointment. Mr Robert Koomson, President of BASU pointed out that with the introduction of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education policy parents could no longer use poverty as an excuse to deny their children basic education.

Mr Koomson said the time had come for people in Brong Ahafo to blend agriculture with education to ensure that children gained adequate academic and technical knowledge to make their future meaningful to their communities and the nation. Mr Samuel Adu Gyamfi, Secretary of BASU said the Union's plans were advanced to launch long vacation classes to augment the work of basic schoolteachers in the Region.

He said the move was BASU's contribution towards reversing the poor standard of academic performance among pupils and students in the Region. Members of the Union would also educate the people on other important national issues such as HIV/AIDS and the National Health Insurance Policy during long vacations, he said.