Ahenema-Kokoben (Ashanti Region), 12 Nov.,

Mr. I.K. Nyame, District Chief Executive for Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma, has expressed concern about the spate of withdrawal of pupils from public to private schools and called for measures to address the trend. He regretted that the practice which is only confined to schools in the urban centres, has now extended to schools in the rural areas, where it has become fashionable to have one's child in a private instead of a public school. Mr. Nyame made the call during an inspection of some educational facilities in Ahenema-Kokoben schools to identify areas where the Assembly could be of help. The DCE observed that if cautious efforts are not made to stem the withdrawals it might lead to the collapse of many public schools. Mr. Nyame said in a bid to check this in the district, the District Assembly is considering instituting a scheme under which public schools which are able to enroll and maintain an average of 45 pupils in each class would be given incentives. The incentive package would involve the construction of a teachers quarters to be attached to any such school that succeeds in the attainment of the set target. Mr. Kofi Nti, Assemblyman for the town, complained of the deplorable state of the primary school and appealed to the district assembly to assist them with roofing sheets and cement to renovate the school block.