No more classes under trees

No more classes under trees — Beginning 2011

             

Story: Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa Quansah

The numerous pupils and students studying under trees across the country will be provided with permanent accommodation by the end of 2010.

A Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a discussion with the Junior Graphic, said in order to make school-going more attractive to children, the government would provide a school building for every single school currently operating under a tree.

He said in addition, it would expand facilities in existing shift system schools to completely do away with that system.

The deputy minister disclosed that currently provision had been made to construct and furnish 165 school buildings to accommodate the affected schools, while 250 new schools and kindergartens would be constructed and furnished by 2010.

According to him, as many as 45,000 pupils sitting under trees would benefit from the school accommodation when completed.

He explained that the provision of accommodation had become necessary, since more pupils were enrolling in schools as a result of the capitation grant and the school feeding programme. 

“Therefore, it is government’s responsibility to ensure that children study comfortably and not under the hot sun and at the mercy of the rains,” he added.