Kumasi, Jan 25, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, has stated that if the country is to achieve the much touted middle income status in the next decade, then education for development must aim at redefining people's thinking and attitude.

He said education as a matter of national priority and sustainable development must also help people to understand basic concepts that development in all its forms did not come from somewhere but that it was a collective responsibility, participatory and people initiated. These were contained in a speech read for him at the launch of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Agogo Collins Secondary/Commercial School in Kumasi on Saturday.

The launching also recognised the immense contribution of Mr Victor Collins Asabre, founder of the school towards its development. The celebration has as its theme, "Enhancing Academic Excellence In Less Endowed Schools".

Mr Baah-Wiredu said the government had been very candid in emphasising its sole ability to bear the huge cost involved in the education sector.

"That is why the government appreciates the numerous interventions by traditional authorities, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and old students towards the provision of more facilities and the various scholarship schemes instituted to make education more accessible to many more brilliant but economically handicapped students," he said. Mr Baah-Wiredu commended Mr Victor Collins Asabre for his vision, saying that the energy and resources and time he invested into the founding of the school had been adequately acknowledged and rewarded by God.

Dr Steve Sobotie, Principal of the Kumasi Campus of the University of Education, Winneba, advised students to abide by the rules and regulations of their schools.

He said the recent publication of the results of the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) showing merit ratings of the schools, should be considered as a wake up call to all schools, parents, PTAs and the communities to improve upon their standing. Mr Kwadwo Owusu Akomea, Headmaster of the school, called on the old students to come to the aid of their alma mater by helping to enhance and sustain the academic standards.