Ministry to transfer ¢110bn to schools

Tarkwa, (W/R), July 14, GNA - Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo, Minister of Education and Sports said a total of 110 billion cedis is ready to be disbursed to various schools nationwide by September this year. He said textbooks, which had been lacking over the years, would also become available to students.

Mr. Osafo Maafo said these in an interaction with teachers within the Wassa West District of the Western Region as part of a three-day tour of education institutions.

He said each school would get a refund of 30,000 cedis each based on the number of pupils in each school.

Mr. Maafo said the amount also known as the capitation grant, takes away the payment of school fees in all basic schools. He said 53 districts in the country have been enjoying the grant on pilot basis.

He charged school management committees, and parent teacher association, to shift their focus from fees fixing and concentrate on improving excellence, discipline and ensure the total development of schools.

He said under the reforms in the educational sector, which begins in 2007, the inspectorate division of the Ghana Education Service would be moved to the Ministry of Education, to promote quality education. He stressed that delays in processing teachers' requests frustrate them and have a negative impact on teaching.

The Minister said Ghana cannot develop without the requisite skills and urged teachers to transform the lives of their pupils and equip them with the necessary skills.