Economic Fcators prevent Parents from educating children

Published on 26th October, 2009, Daily Graphic pg 11


Economic factors prevent parents from educating children

Story: Matilda Attram
THE lower average of females enrolled in formal education compared to that of males, is said to be a major factor hampering the improvement of the nation’s economy, according to Dr Carol Markwei, a lecturer at the University of Ghana.
She noted that there were some economic factors leading to the inability of parents to motivate and fully support their children to enrol in schools leading them to indulge in some social vices.
Dr Markwei was speaking at the golden jubilee anniversary celebration of Accra Girls Senior High School (AGISS), on the theme ‘Sustaining Quality Girl-Child Education for 50 years and Above’ in Accra.
She said there was the need to put more efforts into educating the girl- child and to be able to maintain the national policy on their education.
Although there was equal access to education for both boys and girls, she said most girls of school going age were involved in economic activities, depriving them of their right to education.
Dr Markwei explained that educating the girl child was a necessity since it would effectively enhance the economic, moral and social change Ghanaians expected in homes, society and the nation as a whole.
“There will be a decrease in immoral activities leading to teenage pregnancy and other social deviant behaviours if our young girls are retained in school. Educate a girl, educate a nation and enhance the well-being of the nation”, she stated.
She noted that there had been the institution of scholarship schemes such as the Girls Club and the Ambassador Girls Scholarship Programme (AGSP) to boost the capacity of girls in formal education.
Dr Markwei, therefore, urged the continuing students of the school to emulate the examples of their past seniors.
In her welcome address, the headmistress of the school, Ms Veronica Akapame, disclosed that the school had contributed immensely towards the development of the nation, by training prominent women in all fields in the nation.
“Accra Girls has meaningfully contributed to the realisation of the dream of its founding fathers with so many women it has turned out, who are serving in various sectors of the economy,” she stated.
She noted that the golden jubilee celebration provided an opportunity for the school to reflect on the progress it had made in the past years and to renew the commitment to its vision and the empowerment of old students of the school.
The Chief Economic Planning Officer of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, who is also the President of the Accra Girls’ Old Students Association (AGOSA), Ms Florence Oku said the anniversary was a year-long celebration, which will commence next year.
She, therefore, congratulated the association, and urged the staff, old students and parents to co-operate in training the young girls as well as support the school to enable it meet its needs.