Accra, Jan.8 GNA - Mr. Joseph Henry Mensah, the Senior Minister on Sunday hinted that government was drafting a new policy to make the first eleven years of basic education compulsory in order to give children a solid foundation in learning.

He said the policy when implemented would allow more children to be enrolled in the schools as well as reduce the gap between the rural and urban child.

Mr Mensah was speaking at the 60th Anniversary celebration of the St. Paul Catholic Church, Kpehe in Accra.

The service, which attracted hundreds of parishioners dressed in their anniversary clothes, was on the theme: "Pressing on to reach the goal".

Mr Mensah said the government would be coming out with a wide range of reforms in the country's educational sector in order to improve the human resource development and meet the challenges of the future. He urged parents to take advantage of the government's capitation grant and send their children to school.

He also commended the Catholic Church for its immense contribution to the country's education.

Most Reverend Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle, the Archbishop of Accra urged parents to invest their time, resources and talents in the upbringing and development of their children He said children are the future leaders of the country and as such it is the duty of their parents to train and guide them to become responsible adults.

He urged Christians to be committed to the work of God and show compassion to the underprivileged in society.

Very Reverend Father Francis Adoboli, the Parish Priest of the St. Paul Catholic Church, Kpehe said the immediate task of the church was to construct a multi-purpose parish hall and youth training centre which would have rooms for meetings, conferences and other social, especially religious programmes.

He said the parish have also placed evangelism as its number one priority in order to win more souls for Christ.