Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, the Western Regional Minister, Tuesday said government was prioritizing rural education and giving it the needed infrastructure and teaching aids to ensure holistic development of the country.

He said "the development of rural areas is at the heart of the National Democratic Congress" and government was doing it bit by bit to give hope and life through the provision of decent social amenities.

The Western Regional Minister was speaking during the commissioning of a six unit classroom block with auxiliaries for the Etsua community within the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan area.

The Etsua community, though seated in the heart of the metropolis, had been without a basic school for over 80 years and children from this community have the daily hassle of coming to Takoradi to access education.

The establishment of the facility is therefore the best gift given to the community to mark "my first day at school” in the metropolis.

Already, 137 pupils have written their names as the foundation members with four teachers and a head teacher.

Mr. Aidoo added that the provision of the school must therefore encourage parents to pay attention to the education of their children and assist the state in raising good future leaders for the country.

He noted as important the formation of PTA and School Management Committee in the school to help in the day to day running and maintenance of the infrastructure.

Togbe David Kluvia II, Chief of the Area, recounted efforts made by elders of the community to get a school in the sixties which didn't yield any fruits till now.

He therefore expressed gratitude to the education directorate and government for the facility.

Earlier, the Minister together with his deputy, the Regional Director of Education, Metropolitan Director of Education, and Co-ordinating directors visited Whindo and Assakae to receive new entrants to school and to encourage them to stay in school.

The new pupils received school uniforms, pencil cases, drinks and biscuits amidst singing to mark the “my first day at school” for this academic year.