Regional News of Sunday, 21 March 2010

Source: GNA

Government to provide infrastructure for SHS programme

Old Ningo (GAR), March 21, GNA - The Ministry of Education, is putting in place measures to complete outstanding projects at the senior high schools (SHS) and provide them with the necessary infrastructure to cater for the students pursuing the present four-year programme. Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, Minister of Education announced this at the 34th Annual Speech and Prize-Giving Day of the Ningo Senior High School at Old Ningo in the Dangme West District of the Greater Accra Region on Saturday. It was on the theme: "Quality Education, a shared Responsibility." He said the ministry had envisaged that all projects, especially classroom blocks would be complemented before the commencement of the 2010/2011 academic year.

Mr Tettey-Enyo said: "In our desire that our teachers in senior high schools are well equipped with the methodology of teaching core subjects there is currently a training programme for the SHS teachers at the Ghana Education Service Staff Development Institute at Ajumako in the Central Region."

He explained that the training programme with funding from the African Development Bank, is meant to boost the capacity of the teachers to teach core subjects such as English language, mathematics, integrated science and social studies.

The Minister said Ningo SHS which was among many of the schools facing infrastructural challenges would witness a face lift with the provision and construction of a dormitory block for 400 students, a 12 unit classroom- block, science laboratory, dinning hall and kitchen and water supply. He said the intervention would help ease the pressure on the few facilities at the school and facilitate the admission of new students. Mr Tettey Enyo said it was a matter of great concern that most schools in the rural areas were in deplorable state and unable to give quality education that would enable the students to progress steadily on the educational ladder.

Mr Christopher K. Sedefia, Headmaster of Ningo SHS said the theme for the occasion highlighted the collaboration between the community and Parent and Teacher Association(PTA) in their pursuit of common educational goals for the students.

He said activities of the PTA had for the past years helped to sustain and propel the school to achieve many successes with the provision of two staff bungalows, a six-classroom block and girls hostel with a capacity for about 200 girls.

Mr Sedefia noted that the collaboration with other stakeholders has ensured a high enrolment leading to the current student population of 913, made up of 459 girls and 454 boys.

He commended the district assembly, World Vision, the PTA, staff and a host of individuals and organisations and the founding fathers of the school for their continued support to the success and development of the school. Mr Sedefia said from 2008 up to date the school continued to chalk 100 per cent passes with increasing better examination results to qualify many of the students for entry into tertiary institutions. Flt. Lt. Selase Agbenyefia, reviewed and inaugurated the School's Airforce Cadet Corps with a call on the students to inculcate a high sense of patriotism and discipline to be better disposed to achieve their academic pursuits. Prizes and awards were presented to students and staff for their hard work.