Cape Coast, Jan 7, GNA- Mr Amos Safo, Programmes Communication Manager of Compassion International, an American- Christian non-governmental organisation (NGO), in Ghana on Saturday called on policymakers to make the improvement of education in the country a high priority.

This, he said would build a better future for the development of the youth.

Mr Safo said it is imperative for the government to institute measures that would help widen access to post-primary education, reduce drop-out rates among pupils as well as improve the quality of schools.

Mr Safo made the call at the end of a five-day Vocational Camp, organised by Compassion International in Cape Coast on the theme: “Developing Healthy Minds in Healthy Bodies.”

The Camp, which was attended by 480 children drawn from the Central and Greater Regions, was aimed at developing the participants holistically, which includes their spiritual, cognitive, socio-emotional and physical wellbeing.

Compassion International exists in 26 countries worldwide including eight from Africa and has a total membership of 35,000 children with 145 church partners. With its main objective of assisting vulnerable and needy children in the society, to help release them from poverty and other social problems.

Mr Safo said despite the fact that the government had made major efforts to improve the education system in the country much remained undone particularly at the secondary level where access, affordability and relevance continued to be a key constraint.

Mr Safo pointed out that most Ghanaian children have high hopes and ambitions of acquiring secondary or vocational training but due to inadequate facilities it was difficult for them to achieve their set goals.

He called on the government to expand access to secondary education by increasing students’ intake and reform the school curriculum to include technical, entrepreneurial, self-employment and life skills as well as reproductive and sexual health education and conflict resolution.

Mr Safo called for the application of strict disciplinary measures to deal with teachers found guilty of sexually abusing school children.

He suggested that such teachers should be banned from working within the education sector.

He said there was the need for the revision of technical, industrial and vocational education and training (TVET) to reflect the needs of industry and other labour markets.

He asked the government to play a strategic role as an enabler and facilitator of TVET rather than as a service provider.

Touching on HIV and AIDs he called for intensified discussion with young people in schools and the adoption of policies and programmes to ensure the effective dissemination of information on sexual and reproductive health.

He called for the adoption of service protocols, tools and techniques that are sensitive to the concerns and problems of young people and their families while existing health campaign programmes on HIVand /AIDS should be strengthened and expanded.

The participants were taken through topics like “Giving your life to Christ,”” Challenges of Adolescents,” “ Career guidance”, “ child rights and child protection,” and “personal hygiene.”