Government plans to eliminate shift system

Fijai (W/R), May.14, GNA - Plans are underway to have the shift system brought down to

an appreciable level if not eliminated completely by government, Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, said on Wednesday.

He stated this in an address read for him at the sixth Western Regional Education Sector Annual Review Meeting at Fijai near Takoradi.

Mr. Aidoo said the laudable educational programmes which the government was pursuing were meant to ensure that every child of school going age attended school without much difficulty.

He said in line with the 1992 constitution, the National Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Millennium Development Goals and other international Development Goals on Education, basic education should be free for all children of school going age.

Mr. Aidoo said this principle had guided education development in recent times and had remained a constant reference point for the development of the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) which served as a blueprint for the implementation of education policies throughout the country.

He said education policies of government could not achieve the desired impact without the active collaboration, involvement, cooperation and support from all the stakeholders in education.

Mr. Aidoo appealed to all stakeholders at the meeting to make objective evaluation of issues and come out with solutions that would promote the development of education in the region.

In an address read for her by Mrs Cynthia Bosumtwi-Sam, a Director in-charge of the Inspectorate Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Madam Nanaa Biney, Director-General of GES, said an educated society will be a breeding ground for tolerance and peace, justice and understanding, innovation and advancement and positive self-sustaining growth.

She said the obligation of improving the country's educational system should not involve only enthusiastic actors from central and local government departments, development partners and non-governmental organizations.

Madam Biney said civil societies and all stakeholders should support child learning and education,

Mr. Augustus Nii Lante Cleland, Western Regional Director of Education, said review meetings had been instituted by the GES to enhance accountability and transparency among stakeholders of education and help implementers appreciate the expectations of stakeholders.

He said the meetings were also to facilitate information sharing across the districts for the best practices to be replicated and to strengthen the capacity for education management.

GNA