Nothing is wrong with changing primary school uniforms after decades but the poor may struggle -Kofi Asare
Kofi-Asare
The Executive Director at EDUWATCH, Mr. Kofi Asare has supported the government on the topic of changing school uniforms for primary schools. He said nothing is wrong with changing primary school uniforms after decades but the poor may struggle.
The Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum at a forum dubbed ‘The free SHS story’ in Accra on April 25, 2024, announced that the government will change the yellow and brown uniform for public primary schools.
Sparking conversations, many shared their views stating that the primary schools at this juncture of the 21st century need infrastructures and teaching materials to bring out the best in the future leaders not the change of school uniforms.
“We are changing the uniforms of public basic schools in the country. The yellow and brown that you see now, you will see no more. Reformation is coming to a community near you, and you will see it,” Dr. Adutwum revealed.
Mr. Kofi Asare has shared his massive support with the government on the change of school uniforms and painting of the primary school blocks.
Mr. Asare explaining from his point of view said “Nothing wrong with changing primary school uniforms after decades. It’s cool with me.
“White attracts dirt too easily, meaning, the average pupil may require at least two sets of uniforms. The poor may struggle; some even struggle with just one set.
“Let’s consider a colour that does not dirty easily.
“Let’s provide free uniforms for pupils in the 75 deprived districts and the urban poor; similar to what we have done for both rich and poor in SHS.
“Painting:
“The decision to paint all basic schools is welcome.
“Painting is a maintenance issue in many schools. Some haven’t seen paint for a decade. Schools must be painted regularly to look decent and nice.
“On the colour, let’s consider one that will not dirty early, since we don’t have cash for regular painting. White obviously dirties too early.
“The bigger picture
“Basic schools have no funded maintenance budgets.
“Some schools may have seen painting already through NGOs, corporate support, etc.., and may rather require funds for repairing broken desks, broken windows, doors, etc…many others too may have an urgent painting need.
“In the medium term, let’s work towards giving effect to government’s decentralisation reform objective for the education sector and build systems to enable basic schools to have and control their maintenance budgets with support from DA’s under the supervision of the GES.
“Government should fund basic school maintenance budgets and allow schools to determine their maintenance priorities.
“Let’s work towards proper devolution.”
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
