Winneba, Nov. 25, GNA - The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, on Saturday said that without quality education for the youth, the nation's aim to move to a middle-income level by 2015 would be a mirage.

"It is only through quality education that individuals who go through our educational system can become useful to themselves and to the communities in which they live". The Regional Minister said this in a speech read for him at the 58th speech and prize-giving day of the Winneba Senior High School at Winneba.

Nana Ato Arthur said the development of model senior school in each district in the country was to ensure that those who qualify to enter senior High School are not hindered. It has also been the government's primary aim to remove factors that militate against quality teaching and learning in schools to enhance the professional identity of teachers.

Nana Ato Arthur said without commitment from teachers, support from parents, alumni and effective leadership of head master/mistress and discipline on the part of students, these quality education interventions would not make any meaningful impact on the educational reforms.

In a speech read for him the Minister for Education, Science and Sports, Professor Dominic Fobih, said the future prosperity of every nation depended largely on the soundness of education that is provided for the citizens.

"In line with this, the government painstakingly reviewed the kind of education that was provided for the youth to help them function effectively in the society.''

He said the government's sole reason for the introduction of the computer School Programme Selection was to ensure fairness and equity in the selection process while at the same time reducing parents' precious time of searching for schools.

The headmistress of the school, Mrs. Cecelia Kwakye Cofie, commended the Parent/Teacher Association (PTA) for providing the school with some of its basic needs, including a science Resource Center and a clinic. She expressed regret that delay in the construction of a new girls dormitory was creating inconveniences and also prevented many girls from enrolling.

Mrs. Cofie said the situation had compelled the authorities to give out a staff bungalow to accommodate the girls. She said the school library and Assembly Hall needed expansion because over 1,100 students are using facilities that were built for about 300 students 40 years ago.

Mrs. Cofie said the academic performance of the school had been good and commended both tutors and students for their hard work. Awards were given to students and staff, with Mr. Emmanuel Baffour and Emmanuel Baiden receiving the best worker and best student awards respectively.