THE Government has secured a 28-million-dollar (¢260 billion) loan from the African Development Bank (AFDB) to upgrade and provide infrastructure in 25 selected less-endowed secondary schools nationwide this year.

The project is under the second phase of the Model Schools Programme.

Facilities to be provided are new classroom blocks, science laboratories, Home Science and Visual Art blocks, computer laboratories and Administration Blocks, as well as the rehabilitation and expansion of existing structures.

J.O Afranie, Director of Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring and Evaluation Division at the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, told the Times in Accra yesterday that prior to the implementation of the programme, a survey was conducted to determine the infrastructural needs required by the schools in order for them to attain the model status.

He named the beneficiary schools as including Bompata Presbyterian and Ejuraman Anglican Secondary Schools in the Ashanti Region; Kukuom and Wenchi Secondary Schools in Brong-Ahafo; Boa Amponsem and Nyarkrom Secondary Schools in the Central region; and Nkawkaw, Donkorkrom and Manya Krobo Secondary Schools in the Eastern region.

Others include Ada, Tema and West Africa Secondary Schools in Greater Accra; Walewale, Salaga and Bole Secondary Schools in the Northern Region; Sandema Secondary and Zebilla Secondary Techical in Upper East; Kanton and Jirapa Secondary Schools in the Upper West.

The rest are Nkwanta, Peki and Hohoe Secondary Schools in the Volta region and Shama, Half Assini and Juabeso Secondary Schools in the Western region.

He noted that the model school programme is not only about provision of infrastructural facilities but is also intended to provide training for the core staff and to strengthen management as a way to improve the system of learning and teaching at the second cycle level .

Mr. Afranie said the programme further seeks to promote the participation of girls and the less privileged in education, as well as the provision of equipment of core academic which are designed to improve access to secondary School education

"In order to attain a model status, the schools should have the same number of facilities and equipment aimed at ensuring congenial educational atmosphere and to enhance the quality, efficiency and management of secondary school education," he said.

He said constructural work has started in earnest in all the beneficiary schools following the award of the contract last October, and the scheduled programme for their completion is by the end of the year.

Mr. Afranie said government will provide additional funds to complement the AFDB loan for the implementation of the programme to ensure that the projects to be undertaken achieve the same levels and improved qualities as those provided for the 31 schools which benefited under the first phase of the model schools idea started five years ago

The Government in 2001,initiated a programme of upgrading facilities in some second cycle schools which were in dire need of certain facilities and was aimed to improve access to quality secondary school education.

The first phase of the programme which covered 31 selected schools, cost the state ¢696 billion.