Old Ningo, June 8, GNA- The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, has embarked on a programme to collate data on less endowed schools in the country to enable it to develop strategies of solving their problems.

Consequently, the Ministry is asking stakeholders, including traditional authorities, teachers and parents to support government in initiating positive measures to salvage such schools. Mrs Angelina Baiden-Amissah, Deputy Minister of the Ministry, said this at the 32nd Speech and Prize-Giving Day of the Ningo Senior High School at Old Ningo in the Dangme West District. She said the theme for the event: "The New Education Reform, Challenges confronting the less-endowed schools and the way forward," was appropriate for the country's educational development. Mrs Baiden-Amissah said if educational policies are well implemented it would go a long way in eradicating multiple causes and effects of poverty.

She said it is for this reason that the Government's 2007 Education Reform placed emphasis on a four-year Senior High School (SHS) programme.

Mrs Baiden-Amissah said the Reform also focused on Free Compulsory and Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) and cost sharing at senior high School and tertiary levels with greater emphasis on Information and Communication Technology.

She, however, said that field reports concerning local participation in the Reform indicated some deficits and misconceptions. Mrs Baiden-Amissah cited that some people considered the FCUBE programme as entirely 'free' and failed to pay their children's school fees and leave the responsibility on government alone to bear. She urged parents and community leaders to visit schools regularly to enable them to monitor the performances of school children. Mrs Baiden-Amissah advised the youth to refrain from pre-marital sex, drug abuse, watching pornography, occultism and teenage pregnancy which could affect their development. She advised them to take their studies seriously to enable them attain higher education and skills needed for national development. Mrs Baiden-Amissah commended the founding fathers of the school for their contribution to its growth.

She also congratulated the headmaster and staff assisting the school to chalk 100 per cent in the West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations over the year's despite the meagre resources and facilities at their disposal.

Mr Christopher S. Sedefia, Headmaster, said the school which was founded in 1976 and absorbed by government in 1993, remained one of the most deprived and least developed schools in the Greater Accra Region. He said the educational institution lacked adequate classrooms and furniture, dining hall, dormitories, staff common rooms, accommodation, library, school bus, water supply and computer and science laboratory to ensure effective teaching and learning. Mr Sedefia commended the efforts of the founder of the school, Mr W.G. Nortey for his continued support, the Parent-Teacher Association, Dangme West District Assembly, Ningo Peoples Development Forum, Ningo Traditional Council and a number of companies for their assistance to the school.

Prof. J. S. Djangmah, chairman of the anniversary programme, commended the students for their high academic performance and presented assorted text books worth 8 million cedis on behalf of the Great Ningo Development Forum for the establishment of the school's library. Prizes and awards were presented to students who excelled in various subjects as well as teachers and the non-teaching staff and other organizations that have supported the School.

The Dangme West District Chief Executive, Mr Nene Adzorwer-Nortey, Mr Enoch T. Mensah, MP Ningo-Prampram and headmasters of Senior High Schools in the region were at the event. 8 June 08