974 CBE learners in East Mamprusi set to enrol into formal education


Available statistics has it that the country was home to over a 120 thousand out of school children who are between the ages of 8-14. 

Unfortunately, the largest proportion are mainly from deprived communities of Northern Ghana of which the East Mamprusi District is of no exception. 

The development is against the backdrop of the numerous policies and interventions rolled out by government to make education accessible to children of school going age. 

To this end, ActionAid Ghana with the support of donors and other implementing had ensured the integration of a number of out of school children in the area into formal education. 

The graduation was to usher in the learners who happens to be part of the fifth cycle of the programme. 

In all were 974 learners comprising 553 girls and 421 boys.   

Action Aid has since last year ensured the enrolment of 3,125 learners during the fourth and fifth cycles of the programme. 

Learners were drawn from 100 communities across the municipality. 

Preference was however, given to the girl child because Action Aid believes poverty cannot be eradicated without giving the education of girls and women the needed attention it deserves. 

In a brief remark the CBE coordinator for ActionAid, Yakubu Akuka called on the various stakeholders to support the programme in making it a success. 

With funding from donors such DFID, and USAID from the American People, children under CBE are identified by the various stakeholders including the District Assemblies, the GES and the Department of Social Welfare among other child right institutions.  

Moreover, trained facilitators for the CBE are mainly local SHS graduates and based on their phonic and syllabic approach to mother tongue literacy, these learners are able to read and write within the nine month cycle. 

At the graduation ceremony, some of the children proved their reading skill in Mampruli and Likpakpaaln to the admiration of parents and those present at the occasion.
 
In a speech read for him, the Municipal Chief Executive for East Mamprusi, Abdul-Nasir said government and the various district assemblies have the responsibility to develop the educational sector, therefore his office has resolve to expand access to education through the provision of basic school infrastructure. 

He however, outlined interventions that are being considered for action to support the cause of education in the district. 

Among the intervention will be the construction of additional two senior high schools in Sabogu and Lamgbinsi to help ease pressure and congestion at the existing senior high schools in the area due to the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy which has seen a tremendous increment in school enrolment. 

The assembly with the support of the MP, Hajia Alima is set to provide 1,100 dual desks to be distributed to needy basic schools in the municipality. 

The gesture, according to the MCE is to enhance effective teaching and learning. Present at the even were sister NGOs including Plan International Ghana. 

Meanwhile, Official's from the Municipal Education Directorate were also present to grace the occassion

Story by GBCs Isaac Asare


gbconghanaonline.com
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