Government releases C36.1 billion to SSS

Domeabra (Ash), Nov 24, GNA- The government has released 36.1 billion cedis as part payment of the 2003/2004 academic year Senior Secondary School (SSS) fees absorbed by the government, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, has announced.

He said cheques for the amount would be distributed to the Headmasters of the various schools by the end of next week.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said this at a durbar of chiefs and people of Domeabra in the Asante-Akim North district in honour of Mr George Frimpong, the District Chief Executive on Sunday.

The durbar was in recognition of meritorious services and achievements by the DCE, who is also a citizen of the town.

Mr Baah-Wiredu did not mention the total amount that had been absorbed by the government for the academic year, but said what the amount released was about one-third of what the government would be required to pay.

He, therefore, asked headmasters not to send any student home to collect the absorbed fees from their parents.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said the government was currently constructing four six-classroom blocks with offices and toilets in each of the 110 districts in the country.

He said the Ghana Education Service (GES) was also in the process of employing some of the SSS graduates who did not qualify to enter the universities to fill the vacant teaching positions at the basic levels.

The Minister said plans were also far advanced to upgrade the teacher training colleges into tertiary institutions in order to produce good teachers to teach at the basic level.

He commended the chiefs and people for the honour done the DCE and urged them to support the government in its developmental efforts.

Nana Frimpong Afoakwa, Omanhene of Domeabra Traditional Area, said the council decided to honour the DCE to serve as an example to the youth in the area to work hard to achieve laurels in their various fields of endeavour.

He advised the DCE to be humble and respect all manner of people and desist from any doing anything that could tarnish his reputation and that of the assembly.

Mr Frimpong in response, thanked the chiefs and people for the honour done him and said it was a challenge for him to work hard to improve upon the living conditions of the people.

A certificate of honour, a plaque and gifts were presented to the DCE.