Ekumfi Asokwa, Sept 15, GNA - An appeal has been made to the government to make the capitation grant for pupils of basic schools to cover the feeding cost of children in kindergartens. The government should also take over the payment of the salaries of Kindergarten attendants, which had been the responsibility of communities.

The Chiefs and regents in the Mfantseman District made the appeal when the District Chief Executive, Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, visited some of the communities to welcome new entrants into Kindergartens and primary one in fulfilment of the government's "My First Day at School" programme.

They said that since Kindergartens were regarded as the foundation of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE), they did not see the reason why the government should make the capitation grant to cover only Primary and JSS pupils. They said the feeding fees was also preventing parents from enrolling their children into Kindergartens, adding that, the inability of the communities to pay the Kindergarten attendants was affecting work in schools.

Nana Buabeng, Regent of Arkra, said because the community lacked resources, they had been unable to pay Kindergarten attendants for three months.

Nana Bentil, Regent of Asokwa, said the situation had drained their resources, which they could use as counterpart funding for projects allocated to them by non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The nationwide programme took the DCE accompanied by Mrs Matilda Bannerman-Mensah, District Director of Education and Mr Adjei Asamoah Kusi, Presiding Member of the District Assembly Member to Kormantse Hasowodze, Yamoransa, Akobima, Buranamoa Baifikrom, Asokwa, Gynankoma and Arkra.

Mr Quainoo-Arthur and Mrs Bannerman-Mensah took turns to explain government policies on education to the people. The DCE advised the people to exercise restraint as the government was addressing the Kindergarten issue.

Mrs Banne5rman-Mensah advised parents to buy education materials such as exercise books, pens and pencils for the children. The new entrants were presented with caps and sweets to make them enjoy the school environment.