Gov't to institute infrastructural expansion programme for schools

President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday announced that government in collaboration with the World Bank, have embarked on infrastructural development programme in some schools throughout the country.

He said the project, which would be funded by the World bank and Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) would increase facilities such as; classroom blocks, dormitories, science laboratory and libraries among other projects.

President Mahama said this when he addressed staff and students of Aburi Girls' Senior High School during the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the academic entity at Aburi in the Akwapim South District in the Eastern Region.

The theme for the celebration was:"@70: Forging ahead for greater heights in educational excellence."

The school, which started in 1946 with only seven students currently runs three-year Senior High School system in General Science, General Arts, Business and Vocational programmes that prepares students for the West African Senior High School Examinations.

The programme was also attended by Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, Minister of Education, Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills, former First Lady and a former student of the school and Ms Mavis Ama Frimpong, Regional Minister who is also an old student of the school.

President Mahama said although 123 new Community Day Senior High schools are under construction, the expansion programme in the existing schools would help increase enrollment.

He called on the past students of Aburi Senior School to stick to their motto of the school: "The light on the hill" by providing the necessary expertise and resources that would contribute to the growth and development of Ghana.

The President said although the youth literacy rate had moved to 80.5 per cent in 2012/2013 academic year, government would do everything possible to ensure that the country achieves 100 per cent by the next decade.

He promised to complete the school's dormitory block, which was initiated by the Parent-Teacher Association some years back.

The President has also directed the GETFund to construct a12-unit staff apartment block to ease the accommodation issues of the school.

Madam Christine Amoako-Nuama, a former Minister of Education and old student of the school, urged the old students who are occupying responsible positions in the country, to serve as mentors to the current generation.

She commended the Presbyterian Church for their feat in establishing educational institutions including Aburi Girls Senior High School.

She urged the churches to step up their programmes that are crucial to ending illiteracy in the country.

Ms Rosemond Bampo, Headmistress of the school said the institution has over the years distinguished itself in academic disciplines including science, mathematics and General Arts.

She said apart from speech a prizes, the school had also organised memorial service on Sunday and clean-up programmes to herald in their anniversary.

Prizes were given to students who distinguished themselves academically.

Source: GNA