20 technical/vocational resource centres expected

Kumasi, April 10, GNA - The government is to establish 20 technical/vocational resource centres throughout the country, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Education and Sports has announced. The establishment of these centres, he said, would create opportunities for self-employment and also create several jobs for the youth.

Mr Osafo-Maafo was speaking at the 54th Speech and Prize-giving day of Opoku Ware School (OWASS) in Kumasi on Saturday.

The day was under the theme: "Building a Strong Nation through Sound Education". Among the personalities present were Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene and the Most Reverend Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Catholic Archbishop of Kumasi.

The Minister said given the important role skilled labour force plays in the rapid development of a nation, the Ministry had decided to devote considerable attention and resources to help strengthen scientific, vocational and technical education. He said the government was determined to use education to empower the youth considerably so that they would be able to fully play the role expected of them to move the nation forward. He urged students to take their studies seriously and continue to be law-abiding.

Mr Osafo-Maafo appealed to traditional authorities, metropolitan and district assemblies, non-governmental organisations and all stakeholders to demonstrate greater interest in efforts to provide quality education to the youth.

"The unprecedented moral decadence and indiscipline afflicting the youth is much concern to the Ministry of Education and Sports and in our fight against this ugly canker, bold steps need to be taken to inculcate the right values in our children from early childhood," he said. Mr Stephen Anokye, Headmaster of the school, called on the students to live above reproach, promote peace wherever they find themselves and step up their efforts to donate to the school.

He noted that the school was a classic example of what state, the church and traditional authority can achieve if there is the right consultation and collaboration.

The Headmaster said the school needed support to refurbish its science laboratories. Additional classrooms, students' housing and accommodation and diversion of the road, which passes through the school compound to adjoining towns and villages, are also projects that the school required assistance to undertake.

Prizes were presented to students who excelled in their academic performance. A special prize donated by the Old Students Association went to Master Emmanuel Oppong, who scored eight 'A's in all subjects. Some teaching and non-teaching staffers were also honoured for their contributions towards the development of the school. 10 April 06