Date for completion of community schools uncertain
A Deputy Minister of Education, Mr Alex Kyeremeh, yesterday failed to state for certain whether the government would be able to complete the 200 community-based secondary schools by 2016 as promised by the President, Mr John Mahama.
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Considering the time frame and the work done so far, members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Government Assurances, before whom he had appeared, sought to know whether the government would be able to deliver the schools by the end of next year.
However, Mr Kyeremeh told the committee that because of "unforseen circumstances," he could not state for sure whether the schools would be completed.
"But that is our programme and we are working towards it," he said.
The Committee on Government Assurances
Standing Order 174 (2) of Parliament mandates the Committee on Government Assurances to pursue all assurances, promises and undertakings given by ministers and to take a follow-up action to see the extent to which such assurances are implemented and whether such implementation has taken place within the minimum time necessary for the purpose.
The public sitting of the committee is the first in the history of the Fourth Republic.
The Deputy Minister
Mr Kyeremeh told the committee that phase one of the project, comprising 50 schools, had taken off.
He said invitations had been put out for tenders for the second phase, which comprised another 50, and added that contracts for the commencement of the construction would be awarded in April this year.
The deputy minister acknowledged the fact that the government engaged in sole sourcing for the construction of the first 50 "because donors were involved in the funding and demanded that the government proceeded quickly with the deal.”
He said the government "went through the necessary processes" with regard to sole sourcing.
Mr Kyeremeh said by October 30, this year, the first 50 schools would be completed.