Agona Swedru, Aug 03, GNA - Mrs Justina Torjagbo, the Central Regional Director of Education, has said despite the policy of fee-free tuition in basic schools, many schools charge levies as a means of raising funds for school repairs, culture and sporting activities. She said this could deter many families, particularly the poor, from sending their children to school.

Mrs Torjagbo said this when addressing the 50th Anniversary and Open Day of Catholic Basic Schools at Agona Swedru.

She said some head teachers hid behind the Parent/ Teacher Associations to charge levies despite directives to the contrary. "Some head teachers are also disbursing funds without first preparing the school Performance Improvement Plans." Mrs Torjagbo said PTAs could collect their own levies but this should not be done through children who cannot be sacked for non-payment of such levies.

She said enrolment had increased in the Central Region from 438,891 in 2004/2005 academic year to 494,842 in 2005/2006 academic year because of introduction of Capitation Grant. Mr Eric Oppong Bediako, Agona District Coordinating Director, commended the Catholic Church and other religious bodies for supporting education.

He said the government alone cannot shoulder the cost of providing quality education to its people and acknowledged the efforts of individuals and organisations that support education. Ms Esther Quansah, the Headmistress of "B" Stream, said the school was building a computer centre, canteen and science laboratory at the cost of 312 million cedis through fund raising and assistance from the parents.

She said the two streams have 609 girls and 483 boys and appealed to the district assembly to help improve the school's infrastructure. Ms Quansah said some parents were hiding behind the Capitation Grant to shirk their responsibilities such as buying of pencils, pens, school uniforms, sandals, bags and exercise books.