YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE NOT TO SEND CHILDREN TO SCHOOL Frank Asiedu

The Deputy Minister of Information and National
Orientation, Mr. Frank Agyekum has said
parents and guardians in Ghana have no reason
not to take their children to school, since school
fees at public schools at the basic level have been
abolished.

The Deputy Minister said the free school
feeding programme and the free bussing of pupils to
school are measures being taking by government to
encourage parents and guardians to send their children
to schools.

Mr. Agyekum was speaking at the 78th Annual Speech and
Prize-Giving Day Celebrations of St. Augustine's
College, Cape Coast under the theme of "Teacher and
Parent Partnership in the new educational reform to
achieve academic and moral excellence."

The Deputy Minister said, the fact that parents
will not have to give their children money to buy
food because they will be fed in school or take
transport because they can run the Metro Mass Transit
to school coupled with the Capitation Grant means that
parents are able to save money. These he said are
monies in the pockets of Ghanaians and an indication of
government's commitment to lessen the burden of
Ghanaians as well as making life better for everybody.

On the role of teachers and parents in the
new educational system, Mr. Agyekum said, it is very
unfortunate that traditionally education has been
entrusted to educators and other professionals in the
teaching field only, adding that the recognition of
importance of partnership between parents and teachers
is a tacit acknowledgement that two heads are better
than one.

It is accepted that the central figures in fostering
the development of a child's potential are the role of
adults in the child's world and there are perhaps, no
bigger influence than parents and teachers. Teachers
and parents constitute the two most important
stakeholders in a child's formation and life.
Mr. Agyekum said, if teachers and parents
remain in partnership, it will lead to improved
academic performance on the part of students which
will invariably breed increased academic motivation
as well as reduce the drop-out
rates for students.

The Deputy Minister urged parents not to leave the education of their
wards solely in the hands of teachers but to take keen
interest in the developments concerning their children's
education.

He said research has consistently
shown that partnership between parents and teachers is
critical for success at the educational level and it
is thus essential that teachers and parents work towards
sustaining the relationship.