Work to increase girl-child enrolment in school - Educationist

Bekwai (Ash), May 26, GNA-Mr D.K Obeng, Amansie East District Director of Education, has called on stakeholders in education to initiate and implement concrete measures that will help increase the enrolment and retention of the girl-child in school. He said many traditional and socio-cultural practices had, over the years impeded the academic growth and development of the girl-child and it was time for society to change its attitude and perception and design practical measures that would help the girl-child attain higher laurels in education.

Mr Obeng made the call at a meeting with opinion leaders and stakeholders in education at Bekwai on Thursday. The meeting, which was part of the campaign programme by the Ashanti Regional girl-child education unit to discuss the possible ways to increase girl-child enrolment in schools, was attended by assembly members, traditional and religious leaders, women leaders, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and School Management Committee executives as well as officials from the girl-child education units in the Amansie East and West, Adansi North and South districts and the Obuasi Municipal Assembly.

Mr Obeng said women who occupied leadership positions in the country had performed creditably and appealed to traditional and religious leaders to discard practices that impeded the welfare and academic development of the girl-child.

Madam Grace Osei Pokua, Ashanti Regional Girl-Child Education Officer, said about 15,287 girl-children in the region needed to be in school in order to achieve the gender parity in schools by the end of the year.

She said the campaign which had been organised in batches throughout the region, aimed at encouraging the stakeholders to come out with practicable ways that would help increase girl-child enrolment in schools.

The participants called for sustained and effective educational campaigns and the provision of basic necessities that would attract the girl-child to attend school.