IPNEWS: In an effort to boost enrollment in public schools, three officials of the CDC-led government have made a commitment to pay registration fees for all students desirous of attending the Cestos High School in River Cess this academic year. Cestos High is the oldest public school in River Cess County.
The pronouncement was made during the weekend at the official launch of Team Ruth Coker Collins for Weah’s Reelection in Cestos City, amidst huge applause from jubilant students and parents. Committed to the second term bid of President Weah, the group is the biggest auxiliary of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change in River Cess.
The three officials of government are Madam Ruth Coker-Collins, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah and Cllr. Charles Gibson, Ministers of Public Works, Health and Labor, respectively. They are among the prominent citizens of River Cess serving in the Weah Administration.
Speaking at the event, Minister Coker-Collins said it was an honour serving in the government, and one of the ways to show appreciation was by contributing to their county, mainly in the area of education.
Education at government secondary schools is free, but students are required to pay between L$2,000 and L$3,000. Some students cannot afford this amount due to poor livelihood. This intervention would cost the duo about US$1.2 million.
Mr. J. Kwame Ben Yarley, principal of the school said the gesture was timely considering the harsh economic reality. According to Yalley, such a move would serve as a relief to struggling parents and students during the 2023/2024 school year.
“I’m so impressed. I’m so happy for this great opportunity to be afforded our students. It will serve as a motivation to them”.
The principal in an interview with journalists in Cestos minutes following the pronouncement, said the administration had projected 500 students as the total enrollment this year. When asked how the projection was derived, Yalley revealed that the enrollment last academic year was 335 students, but said the projection was on the basis of a motivation package provided to high school students by the World Bank. Under the “Improving Results in Secondary Education (IRISE)”, the principal said, each senior high student will receive US$295, this he believes will increase enrollment. By Trokon A. Freeman/0777973957/0886973957/trokonfreeman@gmail.com
