Poor reading culture in the various educational institutions in the country particularly at the primary level has been a major concern for stakeholders in education in the country.
In Obuasi, AngloGold Ashanti has partnered the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation and the Obuasi East and the Obuasi Municipal Assemblies to roll out a programme which seeks to improve the reading abilities of pupils at the early grade stage.
In a follow-up to a workshop on differentiated learning for early grade teachers sponsored by AngloGold Ashanti, more than 1,000 pupils in the Kindergarten level in both the Obuasi East and the Obuasi Municipality have been given text books worth GH¢1.3 million to boost their reading capabilities.
At a ceremony to hand over the books to the education directorates for onward distribution to schools, the Social Development and Gender Superintendent Superintendent of AngloGold Ashanti, Mavis Nana Yaa Kyei, said the role of education on national development cannot be overemphasized, stressing that AngloGold Ashanti recognizes that, a nation cannot develop without focusing on education hence has committed to improving education in its operational areas.
She said the partnership with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation and the Assemblies to distribute over 30,000 books forms part of the formal educational support of AngloGold Ashanti which has been catured in their 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan.
“We are focused on improving the quality of education in our communities. This we want to achieve by inculcating onto the school children the culture of reading especially at the basic level.”
Mrs. Kyei opined that focusing on basic level was critical in promoting reading among school children.
She said once the children are able to read at the foundation level, they will be able to understand examination questions going forward.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi, Elijah Adansi-Bonah, lauded AngloGold Ashanti for their efforts in promoting quality education in Obuasi.
He said the comeback of AngloGold Ashanti has seen the mining giant significantly contributing towards not only infrastructural development but also to improve the quality of education in Obuasi.
The Chief Executive for the Obuasi East District, Faustina Amissah, who was also present, touched on the importance of reading at the basic education level stressing that it enhances the knowledge capacity of pupils.
She also commended the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation for championing education in the country.
The Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, George Alfred Koomson, said the Ghanaian language and literacy books are needed to complement the efforts of the directorate to improve the reading abilities of pupils in both the Obuasi East and the Obuasi Municipality.
“During the workshop organized by AngloGold Ashanti for teachers, we made a request to them to supply the school kids with reading materials to aid teaching and learning. We commend AngloGold Ashanti for their commitments toward educational improvements in Obuasi.”