MODEL SCHOOL COMPLEX FOR MELIGA COMMUNITY (PAGE 29)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Gawu

A sod-cutting ceremony has been held for the construction of a model school complex for the Meliga community in the Garu-Tempane District in the Upper East Region.
The project is being funded by the Republic of Korea branch of the World Vision International (WVI), a non governmental organisation (NGO), at a total cost of $118,000.
When completed, it will provide classrooms for pupils from Kindergarten, through primary to Junior High School (JHS). It will also have a staff common room, a kitchen, and washrooms.
The gesture forms part of the NGO’s initiative of supporting children in the deprived community who hitherto were having their lessons in dilapidated structures and even under trees.
Addressing the ceremony, the leader of the 18-member Korean delegation from the World Vision International, Mr Im Juag Gun, who is also an educationist, said the gesture formed part of his organisation’s efforts at providing a conducive environment for the children to study.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Garu-Tempane, Mr Emmanuel Syn-net Asigri, said the day marked yet another milestone in their quest to develop the human resource base of their district through the provision of quality educational infrastructure.
He described the beginning of the project as historical as it was the first of its kind in the district and appealed to them to ensure the safety of the contractors and also exhibit a high sense of diligence.
The DCE described the gesture as timely and commended the Korean delegation for the initiative, which, he said, would bring great relief to the people.
He seized the opportunity to express his appreciation to the Catholic Relief Services for complementing the government’s School Feeding Programme by feeding the pupils at Meliga.
The District Director of Education, Mr Eugene Zongo-Naah Domah, on behalf of the people, expressed appreciation to WVI and the people of Korea.
The Korean delegation also donated teaching and learning materials and footballs, as well as Taekwando kits, all valued at about $1,500, to the school.
The delegation was accompanied by the acting Associate Director of WVI in charge of the northern sector of the country, Mr Daniel Salifu Danse.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Philip Issaka, said the provision of the new school for the community would improve teaching and learning in the school, which now had a total student population of 765.