By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Kave (V/R), May 01, GNA – Pencils of Promise, in partnership with Mr Eric Edem Agbana, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu North, has cut sod for the construction of a four-unit kindergarten block with ancillary facilities for Kave MA School in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region.
The project, aimed at improving early childhood education infrastructure in the area, will provide modern classrooms, teachers’ office, storeroom, washrooms and a 10,000-litre poly tank to support water storage on the school compound.
Speaking at the ceremony on Thursday, Mr Freeman Gobah, the Country Director of Pencils of Promise, said the organisation remained committed to improving access to quality education through the provision of safe and conducive learning spaces.
He said education remained the key to unlocking opportunities and empowering children to become productive members of society.
Mr Gobah explained that Pencils of Promise was a non-governmental organisation and non-partisan institution committed to supporting education regardless of the political administration in power.
“We are not affiliated to any political party or faith-based group. We work with every government because our focus is on education and improving learning outcomes for children,” he said.
He said the organisation had, over the past 13 years, constructed about 209 schools across Ghana and continued to expand its interventions in deprived communities.
He noted that Pencils of Promise had undertaken more than 15 school projects in Ketu North and mentioned some communities in the area such as Gbegbekope, Kuli, Ehi-Horme, Klenormadi, Tadzewu, Adzortsi, Zukpe, Kporkuve and other places.
Mr Gobah said the new facility at Kave would ease congestion, reduce the number of pupils per classroom and improve teaching and learning outcomes.
He said the block would include four classrooms, office space for teachers, a storeroom, six toilet facilities and urinals, as well as a rainwater harvesting system.
Mr Gobah said the organisation would finance 80 per cent of the project cost, with the remaining 20 per cent to be supported by the beneficiary community through labour and local contributions.
Mr Eric Edem Agbana, the MP for the area, said the project formed part of efforts to improve access to quality education and create a conducive learning environment for children in underserved communities.
Mr Agbana said early childhood education remained critical to child development and must be prioritised, stressing that kindergarten education formed the foundation of learning.
He noted that Kave had operated for years without a proper kindergarten block, compelling young pupils to study in overcrowded and unconducive spaces.
He said the project was therefore a major intervention to give children in the area a strong educational foundation.
Mr Agbana disclosed that while Pencils of Promise was providing the bulk of the funding for the project, the community was expected to contribute through communal labour and provision of some local materials.
He said the estimated cost of gravel and sand alone stood at about GH¢125,000, and he had personally committed to covering that cost to ensure the immediate commencement of the project.
He urged the Assembly Member, chiefs and community leaders to ensure proper supervision and accountability throughout the execution of the project.
Mr Agbana also cautioned against misuse of building materials and announced the provision of streetlights to improve security at the project site and prevent theft.
Mr Prince Agbenya, the Public Relations Officer of the Ketu North Education Directorate, speaking on behalf of the Municipal Director of Education, described the project as a significant boost to education delivery in the municipality.
He said the facility would reduce congestion, improve teacher effectiveness and create a more conducive learning environment for young learners.
Mr Agbenya commended Pencils of Promise and the MP for the partnership and support, describing the project as a demonstration of what collaboration and shared commitment could achieve in the education sector.
He urged contractors and all stakeholders to ensure quality delivery and timely completion of the project.
Mr Daniel Kofi Gabla, Headmaster of Kave MA Primary School, said the school, established in 1961, currently had an enrolment of 519 pupils from kindergarten to Primary Six.
He said for decades, kindergarten pupils in the school had studied under difficult conditions, often in borrowed and overcrowded classrooms, with more than 70 children sharing limited space.
Mr Gabla said the new kindergarten block would bring relief to both teachers and pupils and significantly improve learning conditions for the school’s youngest learners.
He expressed appreciation to Pencils of Promise, the MP, the Municipal Assembly and the chiefs for supporting the project and pledged the school’s commitment to ensuring its proper maintenance upon completion.
The ceremony was attended by traditional leaders, education officials, assembly members, parents and residents of Kave-Awlikope, who pledged their support for the successful execution of the project.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah