Deputy Education Minister Confirms Government’s Readiness For New JHS Graduates
Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum has stated that the government is well prepared for the next batch of students for the free Senior High school.
He said the government has embarked on massive infrastructure projects in senior high schools through expansion and the construction of new projects to accommodate the over 500,000 candidates who sat for the examination.
He commended parents and teachers for the support given the candidates in the face of the coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking on Wontumi Morning Show on Wontumi TV/Radio, the Minister said the free SHS has offered an opportunity to children from deprived communities to access secondary education in schools that were described as elite, which they would not have had the opportunity due to poverty.
He also encouraged the candidates of the just ended Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to prepare for the free Senior High School policy because the opportunity is awaiting them.
Dr. Yaw Adutwum reiterated to host of the programme, Oheneba Nana Asiedu that the government is already phasing out the double-track system through the expansion of projects and new buildings constructed.
The new academic year he explained would see some of the schools phased out from the double-track system.
He said in the next three years, the majority of schools would be phased out from the system.
The BECE started on Monday at various examination centres across the country.
WAEC
According to the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), a total of 531,705 candidates are expected to sit for this year’s BECE in 2,007 examination centres across the country.
269,419 of the candidates are males while 262,286 are females.
Commendations
The Editor-in-chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper has praised the Deputy Education Minister Dr Yaw Adutwum for his communication on matters concerning government’s flagship education policy Free SHS.
Veteran journalist Kwaku Baako Jnr said Dr Adutwum’s clarity and in-depth responses when engaging the public and the media over the policy is admirable.
“The Deputy of Napo, Dr. Adutwum, very sharp brain, he’s one of those I admire in this administration, clear mind, the clarity with which that man speaks, the depth is something else, he’s a fantastic gentleman,” Mr Baako noted on Peace FM Wednesday.
In 2019, Chief of Pramso in the Bosomtwi District of the Ashanti Region, Nana Gyampo-tua also commended the Deputy Minister for his performance.
He said Dr Adutwum has distinguished himself as an astute politician in both the executive and legislative arms of government thereby bringing great honour to the people of Bosomtwi.
Speaking to the media in Kumasi, Nana Gyampo-tua ll described Dr Adutwum as God-sent to the people of Bosomtwi considering the massive infrastructural development, especially in the area of education since becoming their member of parliament.
According to the chief, not only had he contributed immensely to the transformation of the education sector under the NPP government but had also done exceptionally well for his constituents.
He said Dr. Adutwum has demonstrated a high level of competence and commitment to impact society by playing key roles in the implementation of several educational interventions at both national and constituency levels.
“We are very lucky as a people to have Dr. Adutwum as our MP. He is development-oriented and passionate about addressing the pressing needs of the people”, Nana Gyampo-tua ll observed.
The chief disclosed that the MP once handed over his private property to the government for the purpose of educating children in his constituency free of charge.