Regional News of Friday, 30 July 2004

Source: GNA

Rural Bank supports educational development

Obuasi, July 30, GNA - The Adansi Rural Bank (ARB) is to allocate 70 percent of its social responsibility budget for the development of education in its operational area.

Mr Evans Aidoo, General Manager of the Bank, announced this when the financial institution presented five packets of roofing sheets worth 6.2 million cedis to the Independence Local Authority Junior Secondary School 'B' at Brahabebome, Obuasi, on Wednesday.

The items are for the completion of a three-classroom block initiated by the School Management Committee (SMC) and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).

Mr Aidoo said the Bank's support was aimed at complementing government's efforts to promote education and that the Bank had granted scholarships to 10 University students.

He gave the assurance that it would continue to contribute to the development of education in the area.

Mr Samuel Kofi Okyere, Adansi West District Director of Education, commended the Bank for promoting education.

He said the Ghana Education Service alone could not bear the cost of rehabilitating and providing educational infrastructure and would, therefore, welcome assistance from financial institutions and other organisations.

The Chairman of the SMC, Mr E.K. Donkor, expressed concern about over-enrolment in the school and said this was an indication that more classrooms were needed.

"We have now started new structures to accommodate the excess students but we are hard pressed for funds and we cannot over burden the parents".

Miss Grace O. Sarpomaah, Headmistress, appealed to the District Assembly to construct more classrooms for schools in the area.