Accra, Nov. 3, GNA -- One of the most deprived schools in Accra, the Nima Saint Kizito Roman Catholic Junior High School is to launch a year-long performance improvement activities to create awareness on the value of education in the Nima Community.

The programme dubbed: "EDUPA 2008' is under the theme; "Offering quality Education in Ghana Public Schools, the role of Stakeholders". The quality education programme also has, among its objectives, creating conducive learning environment and to embark on an extensive retention drive, making learning practical and functional and to create awareness about girl child education.

Briefing the GNA, Mrs. Beatrice Ogah-Amanor, Headmistress of the School said the School, established in 1978 and located in Nima is one of the most deprived schools in Accra. It is heavily populated with students from mixed tribes, and lacks adequate furniture, health facilities, teaching/learning materials and recreational facilities. The learning environment is so poor that the school tends to turn out sub-standard ptoducts with weak morals and of late the rate of girls' drop-out in the school due to teenage pregnancy was rising at an alarming rate.

Mrs Orgah-Amanor said that there appeared to be a stigma of poor performance in Nima schools, a perception the school wants to debunk now.

She said the main purpose of EDUPA 2008 is to cerate awareness that children of Nima also have the potentials to perform like their counterparts in the well-endowed schools when given the right opportunity.

"The students of the school have great potentials which, when developed, would not only enhance the status of the student body but also benefit the society and the nation as a whole". She said the school is heavily populated with students from mixed tribes and religion, which needed greater supervision but lack basic facilities was retarding its progress. The year-long planned activities have been documented in a proposal form to be out-doored for discussion during the launching ceremony.