Extend capitation to private schools - Assemblyman

Mankessim, Sept. 15, GNA - The Assemblyman for Ahenbronmu- Anaafo Electoral area of Mankessim, Mr Vincent Biney Amissah, has appealled to the government to extended the capitation grant to private schools. Mr Amissah said the sending of some candidates who qualified for the Senior Secondary School course after the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to private schools justified the call.

Speaking to the GNA in an interview at Mankessim on Wednesday, Mr Amissah said the pressure on school facilities would be over stretched with the introduction of the free education in basic schools and stated that the private schools would be needed to absolve some of the pressure, saying, "it has already started".

He said, "pupils of private schools are also Ghanaians who must enjoy from the national kitty, private schools also generate revenue for the government through the payment of taxes therefore it is improper to be discriminated against".

The Assemblyman said if care was not taken the free basic education would collapse some of the private schools and compound the problems of inadequate facilities such as teachers, classrooms and furniture being experienced in the public schools. Mr Amissah appealed to the government to ensure that textbooks got to schools early to enhance teaching and learning. He further appealed to parents to provide their children with their education materials such as exercise books pens, pencils and notebooks.