NEW SCIENCE LABORATORY FOR GHANASCO (PAGE 20)

WORK has begun on the construction of a GH¢600,000 modern science laboratory for the Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO) in Tamale.
The state-of-the-art facility, which would be the first of its kind in the northern part of the country when completed, forms part of the government’s efforts to encourage the teaching and learning of science in schools in the area.
The project that is being funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) would include Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture and Physics laboratories. The school, which has a population of 1,800 students, offers General Science, General Arts and Home Economics.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, who inspected the project, stated that the government had placed premium on the study of sciences as a backbone for the industrial and technological development of the country.
‘‘I would, therefore, advise the students to take their studies seriously to justify the huge investment the government has made in the educational sector over the years,’’ the minister stated.
He also charged the contractors working on the project not only to deliver quality job, but must also ensure that work was completed on schedule to enable the students to make maximum use of the facility.
The Headmistress of the school, Madam Mary Asobayiri, appealed for a new girls’ dormitory block to replace the old one, which was gradually sinking as a result of structural defects.
According to her, the situation of the girls’ dormitory was of great concern to the school authorities, stressing that if the building collapsed, it would not only make the girls vulnerable, but would also affect their academic performance.
She also complained of encroachment on the school’s land, and, therefore, appealed for a fence to protect school facilities and ensure adequate security for both staff and students.
‘‘We further entreat the government to help address the perennial water shortage in the school by ensuring that the school benefits from the ongoing water expansion project in the Tamale metropolis to save the time and energy our students use in searching for water daily,’’ the headmistress stressed.
Madam Asobayiri expressed appreciation to the government for the laboratory project and said the facility, which she promised to maintain, would be open to other students from the area.