THE NATIONAL Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) wants government to prioritise the construction and development of infrastructure in basic schools across the country.
Even though enrolment in basic schools has witnessed tremendous increment over the last few years, President of NUGS, Dennis Appiah Larbi-Ampofo, believes “We still have a critical issue in rural areas, and that is basic school infrastructure.”
He said this when he led executives of NUGS to pay a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House last Wednesday.
“Your government has been tremendous when it comes to senior high school and tertiary support.
“Mr. President, on behalf of the people across the corners and quarters of this country, we are begging you that, going forward, if it is possible, which I know it is possible, we should prioritise basic school infrastructure,” he said.
The NUGS President also had cause to comment on the growing concern about the School Feeding Programme, describing allocations to the fund as extremely inadequate.
“Young people who benefit from the school feeding programme are complaining and the complaint is very simple; that the amount of money earmarked for the School Feeding Programme is woefully inadequate.
“My last checks clearly reveal that it is less than a cedi. It takes a magician to feed anybody in this country with less than a cedi. We are begging you and your good office to look at it and it must be quick,” he appealed.
Responding to the call, President Akufo-Addo described the suggestion as a call in the right direction considering the fact that the country has seen a sharp increase in the levels of enrolment at the basic school level.
“I think that the emphasis that you are placing on the need for us to prioritise basic school infrastructure is a good emphasis. All those who are involved in the thinking and practice of educational policy will always tell you that the critical work is done at the basic level,” he said.
The President was of the belief that an effective basic school system was vital since the rest (secondary and tertiary levels), will follow as a matter of course if the basic level is well catered for.
Commenting on the school feeding and other concerns such as the delay in the release of nurses training allowances, the financing of the “No Guarantor Student Loan Scheme”, and the payment of both local and foreign scholarships, President Akufo-Addo said in spite of the current economic challenges the country was experiencing, government would do well to address the issues.
“I think these are legitimate matters you have put before us. They are serious matters and I think that they are matters that we need to deal with,” President Akufo-Addo said.
BY Charles Takyi-Boadu