By Ewoenam Kpodo
Kporkuve (VR), Oct 10, GNA – Pencils of Promise (PoP), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to improving education in Ghana, has commissioned a newly constructed Kindergarten (KG) block for Kporkuve E.P. Primary School in Ketu North.
The two-unit classroom block with office and store and sanitation facilities for use by the KG pupils, brings to 203 in the country and 13th, in the Ketu North Municipality, the number of projects commissioned by PoP in all its three operating regions of Volta, Eastern and Oti.
Mr Freeman Gobah, Country Director of PoP, speaking at the inaugural ceremony, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to bridging the infrastructure gap in Ghana’s education sector.
He said PoP, since 2012 had invested in the country by supporting underprivileged communities with school infrastructure, training of teachers and providing teaching and learning materials as well as initiating water and sanitation facilities in the schools.
Mr Gobah said the impacts of these interventions included improved reading outcomes, improved water coverage for children and improvement in school enrolment.
He indicated the organisation’s readiness to partner more communities to bridge the urban-rural education gap.
He thanked the Municipal Assembly, the community and all through whose collaborative effort the project was a success, explaining that 80 per cent of the construction work was borne by the organisation with the community bearing the remaining 20 per cent.
Mr Maxwell Amewovo, Head teacher, E.P. Primary School, expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders, especially PoP for the project, describing it as a “timely intervention.”
He said the school, established in 1938 with a current enrolment of 270, needed further support to enhance teaching and learning.
“…the school is facing a lot of challenges. There are inadequate teaching and learning resources. The primary classroom block needs to be renovated. I humbly wish to seize this opportunity to appeal to the Municipal Assembly, other NGOs, and individuals to come to our aid to assist us with the renovation work.”
Mr Raphael Mawuko Amenyo, Ketu North Municipal Director of Education, said the new block marked a significant milestone in their efforts to provide quality education infrastructure in underserved communities.
He thanked PoP for its programmes including teacher support, hygiene and library in the box, noting that those interventions were crucial in delivering quality education in the community and the Municipality.
Dr Anthony Ablordey Avorgbedor, Municipal Chief Executive of Ketu North, tasked the school authorities to maintain the block to serve the purpose for which it was constructed and indicated the Assembly’s willingness to always support such projects to improve on education in the municipality.
Mr Festus Tormeti, a KG two teacher spoke to Ghana News Agency (GNA) saying, the project was a relief as it had come to replace the dilapidated classrooms that posed a threat to the safety and education of the 63 young learners.
“The old KG block as you can see it, was built of mud years ago and has become structurally unsound. No windows and doors, thus, prone to leaks. Classes could not hold during rainy days and when windy, the children were made to leave for fear the buildings might collapse.
“We are thankful for the new KG block. Our children now have a safe learning space,” Madam Mawulawoe Kadzro, a community member said to GNA.
GNA