GES Director says Northern Region needs more SHSs

Mr Paul Apanga, Northern Regional Director of Ghana Education Service (GES) on Friday expressed concern about the inadequate educational facilities in the region.

This, he said is making it difficult for many successful junior high school (JHS) students to proceed to the senior high schools.

He said the private schools in the region, which are the alternative option to absorb JHS leavers, are also charging exorbitant school fees thereby compelling the few who gain admission to drop-out.

Mr Apanga was speaking at a ceremony organised in Tamale to distribute 1,048 laptops to 52 schools in the region as part of the government vision to enhance teaching and learning of Information, Communication Technology .

He said the 36 public SHS were not able to absorb all qualified students from the JHS and   appealed to government to build more SHS in the region to halt the phenomenon.

Mr Apanga said 10 districts in the region do not have education directors and appealed to the Ministry of Education to as a matter of urgency recruit and post personnel to fill the vacancies.

Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman, Minister of Education who presented the laptops to representatives of the schools said the beneficiaries should consider the gesture as an investment tool by government to build their capacity and enable them contribute to the development of the nation in the future.

“These laptops were bought with public funds so we expect you to use them as tools to solve problems in teaching and learning so that you will serve the nation with the knowledge you have acquired when you become adults,” she said.

Professor Agyeman advised the students to perceive learning of ICT as a pleasurable activity to enable them enjoy and get its full benefit.

Source: GNA