NON -PLACEMENT OF 177 QUALIFIED SUDENT WORRYING-BONGO PM

05-02-2010 NON -PLACEMENT OF 177 QUALIFIED SUDENT WORRYING-BONGO PM
The Bongo District Assembly and the Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council are currently grappling with the issue of 177 qualified Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in the district who could not get placement to second cycle institutions as a result of the computerized school selection and placement system. The situation has compelled some of the students to travel down south to engage in non existing jobs. The Presiding Member for the assembly, Emmanuel Nsor Atindana who disclosed this to Radio Ghana described the situation as unfortunate and very worrying and appealed to the authorities concerned to rectify the situation so that the students can continue their education as the area is already deprived. According to Mr Atindana, the assembly is humbly requesting a vivid explanation from the Director of the Ghana Education Service on the matter. He intimated that the situation if not tackled appropriately, would undoubtedly affect the educational development of the affected students in the area. He mentioned the Tarongo JHS, Kadari JHS, Goo JHS, Kanga JHS, Ganbongo JHS, among others as some of the nine Junior High schools within the district that were affected. Mr Atindana noted that although efforts by the District Education Directorate and the assembly have secured placement for some of these students, the fate of the rest have been a source of headache for their parents and the assembly in general. To this end, a joint collaborative efforts by some educationists and individuals have ensured the establishment of a temporary Senior High school, known as St. Theresa’s Senior High School at Zorkor in the Bongo district for the students. Mr Atindana said the school which now has a student population of 100, is currently offering only core subjects of which plans are far afoot to introduce four other courses into the school curriculum for the students. The courses, he said, would include General Arts, Agricultural Science, Business and General Science, adding that the school when officially commissioned would enroll more students to enhance academic performance in the region. He commended some chiefs in the Bongo district for releasing land for the construction of other facilities for the school. At a house sitting organized by the Bongo district assembly, the Bongo District Director of Education, Mr Francis Agyene said, he would with the support of other stakeholders, ensure that these students are enrolled into schools.
GBC END IA/