Asakae (W/R), Oct 20, GNA - Mr Isaac Abraham, Training Coordinator of the Quality Improvement in Primary Schools (QUIPS), has called on teachers, community leaders, school management committees and the various Parent Teacher Associations to step up their efforts for the realisation of the objectives of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) by 2005.

He said improvement in access to education and the full participation in educational programmes by the various stakeholders are pre-requisite for the success of the programme.

Mr Abraham said this at the close of a four-day training workshop for 40 participants drawn from Whindo, Mpatado, Anaji and Asakae, within the Shama Ahanta East Metropolis of the Western Region.

The four-day workshop was organised by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and sponsored by the USAID through its Community School Alliance Project.

He said though there is a "free" component in the FCUBE programme it does not mean that parents, community leaders and school management committees have no role to play in the concept.

Mr Abraham said the government would provide textbooks and other basic infrastructure free of charge, while parents and other stakeholders are expected to provide the uniforms, exercise books and ensure that their children attend school regularly.

He reminded the SMC/PTA that they are expected to play complementary roles in the schools in their communities and not to interfere with the day-to-day administration of the school.

Mr Abraham appealed to communities without SMC/PTA to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that such structures are established to support schools within their areas.