Adukrom (Ash), July 27, GNA - The Quality Improvement for Primary Schools (QUIPS) programme of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has constructed 130 school blocks with staff common rooms, libraries and teachers' bungalows at the cost of 29.7 billion cedis throughout the country.

Mr Stephen Yaw Manu, National Director of the QUIPS programme, said the programme had also equipped Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), School Management Committees (SMCs) and circuit supervisors with administrative and leadership skills, which had improved school management, teaching and learning in some schools.

He was speaking at the inauguration of three school blocks in three communities constructed at a total cost of 1.755 billion cedis in the Ahafo-Ano South District of Ashanti at separate functions at the weekend.

The communities were Beposo, Kunsu-Camp and Adukrom. The projects were funded by USAID under QUIPS in conjunction with the District Assembly.

Mr Manu urged parents to enrol their children of school-going age and to ensure that they completed at least basic education. Mr Kwaku Obeng Boateng, Ahafo-Ano South District Chief Executive, challenged parents to take greater responsibility in the training of their children and wards instead of looking up to teachers to do that for them.

He asked PTAs, SMCs, Assembly Members and all stakeholders to take keen interest in the training of pupils, since they lived for longer periods with them than their teachers who could be transferred anytime. The DCE said the situation where parents and guardians refused to provide their children and wards with school uniforms, exercise books, pens, pencils, school bags, food and other learning materials was one of the major problems militating against education.

Mr Boateng called on the communities to initiate self-help projects before appealing for assistance, since the government would readily assist those who helped themselves.

Nana Fosu Gyeabour, Chief of Adukrom, called for unity among the people in order to accelerate the development of the town. 27 July 04