The number of eligible school going –children at the basic education level has remained unchanged for about 17 years. Although actual figures were not readily available from the 2000 national population census, the present enrolment ratio, which is about 76.6percent, has remained the same over a decade.

The implication is that about 24 percent of the eligible school going population were not receiving formal education at the primary level sources at them Ministry of Education told the Network Herald in an exclusive interview. These figures, were however, projected over a period of about 17years from the last national census conducted in 1984. "I don’t think there has been any change over this period, a source said.

This projected figures; could however change if the statistic on the 2000 national population census were made available.

In another development, the Director of Basic Education, Mr. Emmanuel Acquaye also disclosed in an interview that, programmes were in place to address the low admission rates existing in the three Northern Regions. His comments followed concerns raised by some Parliamentarians about the neglect in the field of education in the northern part of the country and that school enrolment in these areas were very low.

According to Mr. Acquaye, poverty was the main factor affecting the development of education in the three northern regions. To address this therefore, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has established a world food programme with its supplies and logistics section to help address the situation, hoping that it will encourage enrolment.

"The Catholic Relief Service and other Non-Government Organizations (NGO) working in partnership with the GES were also assisting to increase enrolment level through food aid programs "The Director said.

The establishment of a shepherd school by the catholic relief services for instance, will enable children of school going age to shepherd their cattle and come back to school. Mr. Aqcuaye said, it is hoped that such children will be absolved into the regular school system.