Nangodi (UER), July 16, GNA - Empowering the Children in Nangodi (ECN), a non-governmental body, has provided facilities and other forms of support valued at GH?18,437.00 to the Nangodi Primary and Junior High School (JHS) in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East Region.

They include a borehole, electric wiring of the JHS, painting of the 12 classrooms in the Primary School, renovation and extension of a kitchen to include a library.

Other supports were registration of 20 pupils under the National Health Insurance Scheme, payment of two Kindergarten Volunteer Teachers and daily provision of coffee for teachers. Speaking at the commissioning of the projects at Nangodi at the weekend, the Board Chairman of ECN, Mr Patrick Yinesigit, explained that the provision of the facilities formed part of the social responsibilities of his outfit.

He said last year it provided over 200 dual desks, computers and a computer laboratory with internet facilities to the schools and announced that ECN would also sponsor two students every year to Senior High Schools, Training Colleges and Tertiary Institutions. He commended their partners in France, ECN France, for providing funds for the execution of the projects and stated that the main objective of the ECN was to reduce poverty among people in the Upper East Region.

"One of the tools in curbing poverty is education and that was why ECN since last year have been concentrating on education of children in the area", Mr Yinesigit said.

The Deputy Director of Education, Mr Paul Panga, commended the NGO for the support and said the education challenges were too many for Government alone to tackle.

He appealed to the management of the schools to put into good use the facilities and ensure that they were regularly maintained to prolong their lifespan.

Mr Michael Zure, Chairman of the School Management Team, also commended the Board Chairman of ECN France, Mr Gerald Smith for facilitating the acquisition of funds in France for the support of the school. He impressed upon parents to ensure that they sent their children to school and advised the pupils and students to take their studies seriously.

In another development, the Executive Director of Rural Aid, Mr Gani Tijani Oguns, who constructed the borehole, donated a new fridge to the staff of the school.

The Headmaster of the school, Mr Francis Sapaat, who was full of praise for the support stressed that the provision of the projects would help to improve upon academic standards. The provision of computer, internet facilities and dual desks among others last year had improved tremendously the academic performance of the school, the headmaster said. 16 July 11