Nkawie, (Ash), April 28, GNA - The efforts of the government to promote quality education in the basic schools, especially in the rural areas would not yield the desired results if parents and guardians refused to send their school-going age children to school. Mr Richard Owusu-Agyeman, the Atwima Nwabiagya district Community Participation Co-ordinator, who made the observation noted that, some parents whose children were in the schools also shirk their responsibilities in the provision of their basic needs as a result of the capitation grant and the school feeding programme. He was addressing representatives of School Management Committees (SMC) selected from school communities throughout the district on Friday at Nkawie to review their activities and also plan ahead to improve quality teaching and learning for the next academic year. Mr. Owusu-Agyeman was not happy that some parents deny their children of uniforms, exercise books, pens and other teaching and learning materials which he noted, was seriously undermining effective teaching and learning.

The SMCs, he said have a major responsibility not only to intensify enrolment and retention drive but also create enough educational awareness on the importance of education in the rural communities. Mr. Owusu-Agyeman complained about laxity of supervision in some basic schools and called for efficiency in management of schools. The SMCs later appealed to the district assembly and the education directorate to give them adequate support, encouragement and resources to motivate them enough to offer dedicated and sacrificial services to the communities.