Kufuor inaugurate Educational Reforms Review
Committee
Asantehene does not intend to take over
schools from government
Kufuor inaugurate Educational Reforms
Review Committee
Accra (Greater Accra) 18 January 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday said the Educational Reforms Programme was being reviewed to put the country in a position that would empower it to be part of the mainstream technological advancement in the world.
In the past, Ghana could boast of high class professionals compared to their counterparts in any field globally but now, even graduates from the tertiary institutions were professionals of a lower calibre, the President said, adding "our educational system has fallen into questionable circumstances".
Inaugurating a 28-member Educational Reforms Review Committee at the Castle, Osu, President Kufuor noted that to plan for the future of any country, education should be the tool, adding that Ghana should not fall short of this.
To enable Ghana to bridge the gap between it and the advanced countries, he stressed the need to research into the educational system, come out with problems
Associated with it and correct them based on facts and figures.
Among issues to be discussed by the Committee, which is expected to present its proposals to the government within four months were, funding of education in the country, quality and funding for expansion of education in the rural areas.
The committee comprised mostly of prominent educationists, who have been heads of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions as well as most of the institutions involved in education.
President Kufuor urged the Committee to come out with practical proposals for all levels of education from the pre-school to the tertiary to put the country's education on a level where its graduates could compete with anyone anywhere on the globe.
"You are working for the future of the country, do not spare any ideas or efforts but undertake your assignment clinically and make practical proposals so that their implementation could stand the test of time," he added.
Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, Principal of the University College of Education, Winneba (UCEW) and Chairman of the Committee, said educationists in the country were aware that for any educational system to be relevant and meaningful it should reflect the changes taking place in the society and the world.
GRi…/
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Asantehene does not intend to take over
schools from government
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 18 January 2002 - Mr I. K. Gyasi, Executive Secretary of the Board of Trustee of the Otumfuo Education Fund, has stated that the establishment of the Fund was not a ploy nor an attempt by the Asantehene to take control of public schools from the government, as being speculated in certain circles.
He said contrary to such unfounded speculations, the Asantehene's motive for setting up the Otumfuo Education Fund was to rather complement national efforts at improving the quality of education and also making formal education accessible and affordable to all school-going children.
Mr Gyasi made the statement when he received a cheque for five million cedis presented by the Crops Research Institute (CRI) as their contribution to the fund at Manhyia, Kumasi on Thursday.
The Executive Secretary of the Fund, observed that such negative remarks, which were tailored at discouraging the Asantehene from his noble pursuit would not in any way deter him from his resolve to help to bring formal education to the doorsteps of children of school-going age at all levels.
Mr Gyasi commended the Management and staff of the CRI for their practical show of concern for quality education in the system and pledged that the money would be judiciously used and for the purpose for which it was donated.
Dr. John A. Otoo, Director of the CRI, who presented the cheque on behalf of Institute, said it was the monthly contributions made by the Director and staff.
He said the decision to contribute to the fund followed their acknowledgement that the Otumfuo Education Fund had been of tremendous benefit to students, not only from Asanteman but also from other parts of the country.
GRi…/
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