Pokuase (G/A), June 19, GNA - Basic schools in Pokuase and its environs in the Ga district are without adequate textbooks for effective academic work, resulting in the use of unapproved materials including "Junior Graphic" newspaper by the teachers, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) has learnt.

Ms Emma Eshun, acting Head teacher of Pokuase Methodist Primary School, told the GNA that teachers of the school have had to use photocopies of textbooks for teaching, in addition to grouping the pupils to make way for effective studies.

She said currently, the school was grappling with a shortfall of about forty percent of textbooks required for its 477 pupils and appealed to parents to help address the situation. Also found to be facing serious textbook shortages are the Pokuase Roman Catholic Schools, as well as the Zion and District Assembly schools, all in the public sector.

Meanwhile, Vision Ladies, Ghana, a women grouping of the World Vision International, has appealed to parents in the Pokuase area to motivate their wards to stay and learn in school.

"Children development depends largely on effective collaboration between teachers, society and parents," said Mrs Stella Nkrumah-Ababio, WVI Coordinator for child Rights and Protection.

She said this when the group visited Pokuase and interacted with parents, students, teachers and community leaders as part of the WVI's community sensitization programme during which the people were educated on child's survival, developmental and protection rights. Mrs Nkrumah-Ababio said Vision Ladies was determined to operate at the grassroots in order to deal effectively with issues relating to the rights of women and children, through training, empowerment and motivation of the individual to "liberate themselves and the community".

She urged women to be more active in championing the rights of their children, especially the girl-child, to redress gender disparities.

During one-on-one interview with the pupils, some of them told members of the group that they were often beaten and overburdened with household chores to the neglect of their studies.