Minister Ends Inspection Tour of Educational Facilities

25-07-2010
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo says he is satisfied with the level of work done so far by contractors handling projects captured under the National Educational Crash Programme launched recently by the government. Mr. Woyongo said this when he inspected on-going projects in some second cycle schools in the Kassena-Nankana East and West Districts of the region. He was accompanied by the Navrongo District Chief Executive, Emmanuel Andema as well as officials from the district and Regional Education Directorate. The rationale behind Mr. Woyongo’s tour was to ascertain the level of work carried out by contractors and supervisors. Some of the on-going projects he visited include the Notre Damme Seminary Senior High School, the Navrongo Senior High School, St John Bosco’s College of Education and Our Lady of Lukes Girls SHS (OLL) all in the Kassena-Nankana East District of the region. The rest are Awe SHS, Sirigu Senior high school and the St Johns Integrated Senior Technical School also in the Kassena-Nankana West Districts. The projects which are being undertaken by local contractors with the aid of “Build quick technology” are said to be completed on schedule to ensure more student intake in the next academic year. The project among others seeks to address all problems related with the current 4-year education system for SHSs across the country. It is also aimed at addressing areas of special needs in order to achieve equitable development in the educational sector which will moreover, serve as the requirement for admission into Senior High Schools come September this year. This is to ensure the provision of additional educational infrastructure for deprived SHS particularly those in the three regions of the north. Mr. Woyongo during a press briefing as part of his 3-day inspection tour expressed satisfaction at the level of work done so far despite some challenges. He was optimistic that most of the projects would be ready before the end of September next year to enhance student intake since most of them are said to be completed ahead of time. Almost all the schools Mr. Woyongo visited were above lintel level except the OLL SHS at Gaani, which was at the foundation stage. The project which is estimated at an unspecified amount would comprise a dormitory block, bedroom quarter’s for staff, classroom block, dining hall, library complex and an Administrative block after completion. The Assembly hall and the Science Resource Centre for the Notre Damme SHS was at the completion stage. A 6 Unit classroom block estimated at the cost of 273,000 Ghana Cedis for the school was also in progress. The Navrongo District Chief Executive, Emmanuel Andema also praised the level of work exhibited by the contractors and urged them to continue with their good work to ensure that they are completed as schedule. This, he explained, would earn them more future contracts. He also cautioned the contractors against shoddy works adding that those who misappropriate funds and monies meant for the projects would have their contracts abrogated and punished. Mr. Andema however encouraged the contractors and supervisors to effectively play their respective roles devoid of laziness and cheating.