General News of Tuesday, 18 November 2003

Source: GNA

OKUAPEMAN Headmaster denounces publication

Akropong-Akuapem, Nov.18, GNA - The Headmaster of the Okuapeman Secondary School, Mr Yaw Asante, on Monday denounced a publication by the Daily Graphic, an Accra daily, in which some students who called themselves "Concerned Students" of the school claimed there was over-crowding at the educational institution.

The Headmaster said the story was "unfounded and untrue" and that he was overwhelmed at the "exaggeration of issues" in the story.

Mr Asante advised the "Concerned Students" to channel their concerns through the appropriate authorities instead of going to the press.

He was reacting to the publication, which alleged over-crowding in classrooms, dining hall and dormitories in an interview with the GNA at Akropong-Akuapem.

Mr Asante said the claim that students went to dining in shifts was untrue and explained that the school had 122 dining tables with each serving twelve students leaving two extra tables with food on them as "a bonus for the prefects."

He also stated that the population at the Boarding house totalled 1,425, whiles the dining could accommodate 1,464 students.

The November 14 edition of the "Daily Graphic" carried a story with the headline "Okuas Students are suffering" at the features column written by "Concerned Students" of the school petitioning the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports to assist the school with more infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the authorities from the Ghana Education Service had visited the school to ascertain the truth.