The Tamale Metropolitan Director of Education, Mr Edward Gayuoni, has indicated that about 700,000 Ghanaian children of school going age are not in school and over 54 per cent of them are females. He said this would draw back the government's efforts of having total literate citizens by 2015, a mandatory date for the MDG's. Mr Gayuoni was addressing the graduation ceremony of 93 students of Little Flowers School Complex in Tamale at the weekend. Speaking on the theme, "Quality education; the key to success", the Education Director said the government should intensify its sensitization programmes to remote and rural areas to get more pupils in school in order to meet the targets of the MDGs. Mr Gayuoni said despite the introduction of the Capitation grant, school feeding programme and other special initiatives to get children in schools, some people still do not see the essence of education. Madam Anna-Maria Fati, the Managing Director of Little Flower School Complex encouraged parents to give quality education to their wards. She said the government should assist the private sector to complement efforts at improving the educational sector. Madam Fati said Little Flower School Complex has been providing basic school needs and funds to 30 orphaned children to go to school. She said the rising cost of education in recent times and the inability of parents to meet educational expenses are putting a strain on quality education in the country. Source: GNA