President Akufo Addo’s directive to provide all Junior High School (JHS) students and staff with daily ‘hot meals’ has seen a dramatic increase in attendance in various schools in Cape Coast.
A visit to various schools by the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday saw students showing more commitment to attendance, with more confidence and determination to succeed.
Some authorities of Bakatsir JHS who spoke on anonymity described the initiative as excellent, adding that three seriously truant students had returned to school because of the free food.
“All the 22 final year students are here and have finished eating their banku with stew and fish. Even some three truant students who have refused to be in school after all persuasion have amazingly returned to school. The children are happy and I am happy as well,” a teacher said.
Head Teacher of St. Augustine’s JHS, Madam Gladys Ama Cromwell said, “some students went home to inform their truant colleagues about the intervention and for once, all my students are present. They appear happy and hopeful and we hope the intervention will be sustained to shore up student enrolment and retention.”
A 15-year-old boy at Jacob Wilson Sey JHS who vigorously rolled his tongue in the mouth beaming with infectious smiles of hope commended President Akufo-Addo for the bold decision saying, “it feels good to be a JHS student at this time.
Source: TheBBCghana.Com
