Accra, March 30, GNA - Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has reiterated government efforts in ensuring quality education in the country by providing school building and other infrastructure.

He said this formed part of the government's priority in promoting teaching and learning. The Deputy Minister was speaking at the 20th anniversary, speech and prize given day of the Mankessim Senior High Technical School (MANSTECH) on the theme: 9320 years of community education, challenges and way forward," at Mankessim in the Central Region. He noted that the technical institutions in the country played a vital role in ensuring development.

Mr Quansah urged the students to embrace the quality education given to them to become role models in future. He appealed to the old students as well as corporate bodies to extend a helping hand to the school. He said the academic facility needed a 72 seater bus and four -storey building to accommodate students to have sound minds to study. Mr Quansah said efforts were being made to get additional dormitory, teaching staff and bungalow, computer and science laboratory to match the increasing number of students. Mr Eric Beng, Headmaster, said the school, established in January 1991 started with 34 comprising 30 boys and four girls but now has a population of 1,691 with 891 boys and 800 girls whilst 800 students were in boarding house.

He said the school scored 99.15 per cent for the 2008/2009 WASSCE with the 351 students presented for the exams. 162 passed in all eight subjects, 112 passed in seven subjects, only two candidates failed whilst one student was absent He commended MTN, HFC Bank, Seco Macmillan Ltd, EPP Book Trust, Akiola Publication, Larbi Brothers, Sonturk, Jessica Ventures, Ghana Commercial Bank among others for their contribution toward the success of the Anniversary.

Master Donatus Lebasa, Head Prefect noted that the school's infrastructure was inadequate making teaching difficult on campus. He said the school had only one computer in the computer laboratory, which belonged to the computer tutor.

He appealed for the expansion and resourcing of the school library with quality and quantity of books and assistance for re-gravelling and tarring of the few streets and lanes on the compound to prevent to prevent unbearable dust from entering the dormitories as well as fencing the school to prevent any threat from pedestrians who use the school as playing ground.

Paulina Dok, a former school prefect was honoured for being the hardest working student. 30 March 11