Koforidua, Aug. 9, GNA - The government is taking appropriate steps to sanction private schools whose overriding motives are to make profit through extortion of parents at the expense of educational standards.

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, warned that private schools should adhere strictly to rules and regulations of the Ghana Education Service on the administration of private schools.

This was contained in an address read for him at the first speech and prize-giving day celebrations of the Assemblies of God JSS at Koforidua on Saturday.

He said government's open door policy to encourage private participation in the provision and management of schools did not mean that proprietors could gloss over the appropriate educational standards for their pupils.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said the growth of education and the development of children should be regarded as the fundamental civic responsibility of both parents and the schools.

He therefore called on parents to assume their rightful responsibility of taking interest in their children, both in school and at home. The Reverend Jonathan Donkor, the proprietor, said the school had acquired land to construct a Senior Secondary School(SSS).

He said the school would continue to train children to attain good education and moral standards to ensure their proper upbringing.

Mr Kenneth Dortey Debrah, the headmaster, said the school, which started in 1985 as a nursery and kindergarten, is now at the JSS two level with about 240 pupils. He appealed to parents to pay their wards fees promptly.