Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the education minister, claims that the JoyNews documentary “Schools of Shame” made him feel embarrassed.
He expressed shame at the fact that the documentary decided to highlight the severe absence of school facilities in some basic schools, despite the fact that there are many encouraging tales about the progress Ghana is making despite its difficulties.
The JoyNews Channel’s feature series “Ghana’s Schools of Shame” examines the nation’s educational infrastructure problems in three different districts.
For instance, the Krachi Nchumuru District has 68 public elementary schools. The condition of about 45% of the schools is appalling. There is no furniture for more than 7,000 kids.
The scenario is the same in the Kpandai District, where many kids sit on the bare floor while taking classes and tests.
Read Also: Eoco hunts for lebanese national jailed for fraud
The Minister claimed that despite all the positive developments taking place in Ghana, the documentary simply wanted to highlight the problems with the nation’s educational system to a wider audience. The Minister was speaking at the Ghana Science and Tech Explorer Awards celebration on Wednesday.
He argued that there are students who are “coming from schools of fame” in Ghana, and have been able to win awards.
“Recently I saw some TV programming where they were talking about Ghana’s School of Shame and I was ashamed, because of all the great things happening in the country, we want to focus on the negative and get the world to know that there are negative things in Ghana.
“Can you look straight in the eye of these children and tell me they are coming from schools of shame? They are coming from schools of fame. They are going to change the story of Ghana,” he pontificated.
While acknowledging that Ghana faces numerous issues, the minister emphasized that the nation’s youth are determined to transform the country. The positive things taking place in the nation must therefore be highlighted.
“If we should take a cue, we should rather do a programme that highlights these young men and women and tell the world Ghana is moving. It is part of the challenges. Yes, there are challenges but I tell you this, the children of Ghana are so well-prepared to be the best in the world.”
Source: Myjoyonline