Tamale, May 21, GNA - A Tamale-based NGO has initiated a program to build recreational centres for schools in the Josinayili catchments area in the Tamale Metropolis to promote sporting activities.

The NGO, Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS), dedicated in providing humanitarian and development services to deprived and needy communities would also work to improve facilities of some schools in the area to befit its metropolitan status.

Mr Abdul Samed Seidu, Acting Programmes Manager of the Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS) told the GNA in an interview in Tamale on Friday

He said it would cost about 182 million cedis to construct the recreational centres for the initial four schools to serve as model schools in the area so that children from deprived homes could enjoy the same facilities as those in well-endowed schools.

He said RAINS has sourced for additional funds of about 45 million cedis from its donors in United Kingdom and the USA to purchase reading materials for the selected schools in Jisonayili to help improve teaching and learning there.

He said apart from supporting the schools with such facilities, direct support would be given to girls and women as a motivation to ensure that the girls particularly remained in school.

Mr Seidu said RAINS would also build the capacity of Committees of some selected communities to enable them effectively serve as frontline players in education development to ensure that all girls had access to basic education and beyond.

He said the high school dropout rate particularly for girls in the region was a source of worry to all and that with the intervention of RAINS about 92 per cent of girls in RAINS operational communities have been maintained in school.

Mr Seidu expressed the hope that with provision of recreational facilities and well deserving structures in schools, children would be motivated to stay in school.

He said RAINS would liaise with heads of the four selected schools in Jisonayili for their other pressing needs and that sports kits would later be presented to the schools to enhance their sporting activities.