|
Meeting to review education held at
Saltpond
Saltpond, July 4, Ghanadot/GNA - The Mfantseman District
Directorate of Education in collaboration with the Quality
Education, Learning for All (EQUALL), a United States Agency
for International Development (USAID) intervention, has held
a review meeting with stake holders to find solutions to
problems impeding the delivery of quality education in the
district.
The aim of the EQUALL is to ensure quality education in 20
selected districts in the country including Mfantseman where
it is sponsoring 18 schools.
It provides grants for capacity building of teachers,
managerial skills for heads of schools, school management
committees (SMCS) Parent-teacher associations and
supervisors of schools.
It also provides logistics for monitoring and supervision of
schools as well as teaching and learning materials for
schools.
The review was based on a survey conducted in 30 schools,
which indicated that 267 schoolgirls in the district got
pregnant within four years, which meant teenage pregnancy
was very high in the district.
A reading test conducted for 450 children in some selected
primary schools was also disappointing.
Speaking at the function, which was attended by chiefs,
assembly members, heads of schools, teachers and circuit
supervisors, Mr. Stephen Amoako, National Co-ordinator of
Education Manager Improvement component of EQUALL, said it
was time EQUALL sought value for resources it had invested
in education in the country.
Our aim is to assist in the delivery of quality education
but the performance of pupils in our schools is nothing to
write home about despite the heavy resources invested in
them.
It is now time for us to move a step ahead to manage for
better results, he stated.
Mr. Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Mfantseman District Chief
Executive, reminded teachers that they could make or unmake
the future of children under their care and urged them to be
dedicated.
Miss Vivian Etroo, District Director of Education, called
for a ban of teachers in public schools to make them more
serious in class.
The survey revealed that teachers, catechists, military
personnel, students and some prominent citizens were
responsible for such pregnancies, which they often denied
and failed to accept responsibilities.
Presenting a report on the teenage pregnancy situation as
recorded in health facilities in the district, Miss Mavis
Narh, District Public Nurse, said in 2003, 978 cases were
recorded, 1026 in 2004, 9876 in 2005 and 1244 in 2006.
The participants called for by-laws and the enforcement of
laws to debar children from nocturnal activities such as
wake keepings, video and concert shows.
Teachers should occupy children with homework.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Felicia Ayensu,
Central Regional Coordinator of Domestic Violenc and Victims
Support Unit (DVVSU) of the Police Service, Inspector
Patrick Yaboah, Saltpond District Crime Officer, two teenage
mothers and their parents also contributed to the
discussions.
GNA
|
