By Anthony Adongo Apubeo, GNA
Bolgatanga, Sept. 09, GNA – The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly has handed over newly constructed two-unit Kindergarten (KG) blocks and ancillary sanitary facilities, to Aperiga-Dorongo and Yorogo-Gabisi communities as part of efforts to improve early childhood education in the Municipality.
The facilities, funded through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), comprised two-unit KG classroom blocks, offices, stores, four-seater KVIPs and two-unit urinals for each community.
The Aperiga-Dorongo project cost GH¢761,808.60, while the facility at Yorogo-Gabisi was valued at GH¢770,863.80.
Speaking at the commissioning and handing-over of the facilities at different locations, Mr Roland Atanga Ayoo, the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, said education remained one of the most important investments any society could make in its people, saying “it is the foundation upon which the future development of our communities and our nation is built.
“At the Kindergarten level in particular, children begin to develop the cognitive, social, emotional and communication skills that prepare them for successful progression through the basic education system.
“It is therefore important that our children are provided with safe, appropriate and stimulating learning environments from the very beginning of their educational journey,” he said.
Mr Ayoo said the provision of the classrooms and sanitary facilities would help address the inadequacies, creating a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.
He urged the beneficiary communities to take ownership of the facilities and ensure their proper maintenance, to enable them serve generations of children.
Mr Ayoo also appealed to parents and guardians to take active interest in their children’s education by monitoring their attendance, supporting learning at home and working closely with teachers to address identified challenges of pupils.
Mr Isaac Adongo, the Member of Parliament for the Bolgatanga Central constituency, said the provision formed part of President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to reset the country and provide access to quality education for all children, particularly those in underserved communities.
Mr George Asira, the Bolgatanga Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), said data available to the Service indicated that although boys consistently recorded higher enrolment than girls at the KG level, the situation changed as they progressed through the basic education system.
“At the KG level, consistently, you have higher numbers of boys than girls,” but unfortunately, by the time they got to JHS three, the numbers turned against the boys, he said.
Mr Asira said the trend required collective attention to ensure that boys remained in school throughout their basic education.
Ms Lawrencia Anamolga, the Headmistress of Yorogo-Gabisi KG/Primary commended the Assembly for the facility, noting that hitherto, since its establishment in 2019, the school lacked adequate classrooms to undertake effective academic exercise.
She expressed optimism that the new facility with the accompanied sanitary facilities would improve teaching and learning in the school.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Reporter’s email: [email protected]