Agona Swedru, Nov 8, GNA - The Government is constructing 46 six classroom blocks with staff common rooms and toilet facilities for senior High Schools in the Central region, as part of its programme to expand facilities at the schools. The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Ama Benyiwa Doe, said the projects are at various stages of completion. Mrs Doe was inaugurating one of such projects comprising: a six-classroom block with staff common room and toilets, at the Swedru Senior High School at Agona Swedru.

The GHC2.6 m project, financed through the Ghana Education Trust Fund, (GETFUND) is part of the government's intervention to expand facilities for Senior High Schools under the four years programme. She expressed the hope that very soon projects at other schools would be completed to solve accommodation problems facing students and teachers.

The Minister reiterated the call on the members of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) to call off their three-week strike action and go to the negotiation table with the government.

Mrs Doe asked them to consider the plight of the students who are currently not attending classes while they fight for better conditions of service. The Regional Minister said the government of President John Evans Atta Mills would not discriminate in the fair sharing of the national cake to the disadvantage of POTAG. Mrs Doe said the government would continue to maintain her commitment to improve the educational sector alongside its effort at pursuing the Better Ghana Agenda policy. She commended the contractor, Mr Samuel Graham Wilberforce, for the quality work done and for completing the project ahead of schedule. The minister called for regular maintenance of the facilities to prolong their life span. Mr John Oremus Arkoh, District Chief Executive for Agona East, commended the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for its numerous assistance to the school.

Mr Isaac Amonoo, acting District Director for the Ghana Education Service, (GES) expressed the hope that the government would solve all problems associated with the educational reforms to ensure effective teaching and learning in both junior and senior schools. Mr E.K. T. Osam, headmaster of the school, expressed appreciation to the government for the facilities. He said the school built 52 years ago with 500 students now has a student-population of 2,000, adding that, the increases do not correspondent with the facilities and called for the provision of more structures.