Tolon (Northern Region), 6 Jan. '99 - The Tolon/Kumbungu District Education office yesterday took delivery of a consignment of school furniture and teaching and learning materials worth 100 million cedis for distribution to 20 pilot schools to enhance the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) programme in the district. The consignment forms part of a package made available to the Ghana Education Service (GES) under a British government assistance programme through its Department for International Development. Three districts in the Northern Region are among 30 others nation- wide selected as beneficiaries of the programme. The consignment is made up of 830 desks, 120 each of teachers tables and chairs, 20 each of headteachers tables and chairs and 20 cupboards. Other items are 20 picture reels, English Language and Mathematics textbooks and school uniforms for 222 needy children. The distribution is being channelled through the GES under the Whole School Development Process (WSDP). Mrs Rosaline Shaita Bawah, District Director of Education, said WSDP, apart from material assistance, has a component for teachers to develop and modernise their skills. She said the main hindrance to the development of education in the district are poor teaching and learning, absenteeism and lateness, poor school structures, lack of textbooks and other logistics and poor enrolment especially of the girl-child. Mrs Bawah expressed the hope that WSDP would ensure a more congenial atmosphere in the schools to enhance teaching and learning in the district. Mr Seiku Herbert Zaato, Director in charge of Manpower at the Regional Education office, asked parents to co-operate with school authorities to ensure the success of the FCUBE programme. He said since the management of schools is now community-based all stakeholders should help to improve conditions in the schools to motivate teachers and pupils to give of their best. GRi...