World Vision improves education infrastructure

Mr. Alex Tettey-Enyo, Minister for Education

The World Vision International (WVI) Ghana has constructed a three-unit classroom block and two three-unit teachers' accommodation for the Nkankama Junior High School (JHS) in the Fanteakwa District.

The projects, which were undertaken by the government of the Republic of Korea, through the Korea International Corporation Agency (KOICA), in collaboration with the WVI, were part of 22 projects in the Fanteakwa and Kwahu North districts.

The facilities, which were estimated at a cost of US$1,764,643.19, were to help improve educational infrastructure, which has been a major headache for the government.

Apart from the aforementioned projects, the two organisations have also supported the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the areas of capacity building for teachers, supply of school furniture, and support to untrained teachers to upgrade their level to Certificate 'A'.

Others include the provision of teaching and learning materials, sports items, and other teaching and learning materials running into millions of USA dollars.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the Minister for Education, Mr. Alex Tettey-Enyo, the Acting Director General for Quality Education, Mr. Stephen Adu, thanked the government of Korea for its immense support towards the development of quality teaching and learning in the country.

According to him, even though it was very touching to see children, who are prospective leaders to take over the leadership baton from the current crop of leaders, still learning under trees, and some even out of school, the introduction of the free school uniforms, among other interventions, would go a long way to address the situation.

Regardless of the numerous interventions to eradicate studying under trees, the Minister for Education lamented that the efforts would not yield any result, if teachers were not well catered for.

To this end, he indicated the construction of teachers' accommodation by the KOICA and WVI was very timely, and a tonic to improving the conditions of teachers who would use the facilities.

The Minister further urged the District Directors of Education, as well as the District Chief Executives in the two districts, to ensure a good maintenance culture, in order to ensure the lifespan of the projects.

In his address during the official commissioning and handing over of the projects to the beneficiary districts, the National Director in charge of the WVI, Mr. Bassilo Okello, expressed appreciation to the government and people of Korea for their continued support.

On his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, echoing the appreciation shown by the previous speakers, said the facilities would go a long way to complement efforts at training the children to become responsible, God fearing, law-abiding, and respectful citizens.