Kpando (V/R), July 29, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday stated that a holistic transformation of the country's educational system for better future was a collective responsibility of every Ghanaian.

He therefore urged all Ghanaians, irrespective of political, ethnic or religious affiliation, to embrace the new educational system and give it maximum support.

President Kufuor said this in an address read for him by Professor Edward K. Akaho, Director-General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission at the 55th Anniversary, Speech and Prize-Giving Day of Bishop Herman College at Kpando.

The anniversary was under theme: "The New Educational Reform Programme of 2007: Prospects and Challenges". President Kufuor said the inclusion of Information Communication and Technology and French language in the new programme buttresses the fact that Ghana was not an island and should conform to the inevitable growing demands of globalisation.

He emphasised that under the reform, children would enjoy 11 years of Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) with a 2-6-3 year ratio structure of kindergarten, primary and Junior High School with the senior High School covering a four-year period.

He said governments had spent gigantic resources towards the improvement of Education but it had failed to address the manpower needs and requirements of the country, resulting from the over-reliance on the study of humanities and other academic-oriented subjects in schools, colleges and Universities at the expense of science and technology. He paid glowing tribute to the founding fathers of the Bishop Herman School and the calibre of graduates it has produced and their contribution to nation building over the years.

Mrs Olivia Sosu, Volta Regional Director of Education, said the role of the teacher in the successful implementation of the reform was paramount and that in consultation with stakeholders, the government had set into motion mechanisms to upgrade all 38 teacher training institutes countrywide.

Additionally, incentive packages would be rolled out to enhance the productivity of the teacher, she said.

Mr Theodore K. Dzavor, Headmaster of the College, said currently, student population was 1,011, up from the initial 25 students in 1952, adding that the there were 53 teachers and 54 non-teaching staff. He mentioned lack of accommodation for staff and students, access roads, school bus, a library and assembly hall complex and water as challenges facing the school.

Mr Dzavor said the school continued to chalk many successes in academic and co-curricula activities in line with the dream of the founding fathers.

He appealed to the administrator of the GETFUND for a bus and praised stakeholders for their continued assistance to the school. Master John Adanfo, School Prefect bemoaned the frequent industrial action by teachers, saying the situation was negatively affecting standards and appealed to government to find a lasting solution to their grievances.

Some 77 students and eight teachers and non-teaching staff, including Mr Ben Tsetse, the first school prefect, were honoured for distinguishing themselves.