The Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, has called on contractors working on the government's senior high school (SHS) upgrading projects to expedite action on them to ensure their early completion. He said the lackadaisical attitude adopted by some contractors was unfortunate and asked them to attach more seriousness to the projects to enable them to complete them on time. The Vice-President, made the call when he visited the Zabzugu Senior High School where he inspected a ¢2.8 billion laboratory project which had reached the roofing stage. He also inspected work on the boys' dormitory block, valued ¢3 billion. The projects are being financed with funds from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). The government began the SHS upgrading project about three years ago as part of efforts to raise the status of one SHS in each district of the country to reduce the pressure on the so-called prestigious SHS, particularly those in the Central Region. Alhaji Mahama, who is on a tour of the Northern Region, said the government was fired up to improve teaching and learning in the various schools in its quest to raise educational standards in the country. “We believe that education is the bedrock of the country and we are not relenting to ensure that there are enough school facilities around to enable us to achieve that objective, he added”. Alhaji Mahama took time to address the students of the school, saying, "There have been many scholars from this region, and for that matter this school, and, therefore, nothing should stop you from aspiring to reach greater heights on the academic ladder." He said many students became demoralized because of the environment in which they found themselves and noted that although that mattered, there was the need for them to show a lot of commitment and dedication to ensure success. "People who learnt under trees in those days were able to make it and are now professors, medical doctors and highly trained professionals occupying sensitive positions in the civil and public services, both at home and abroad," he said. He said the upgrading projects were still underway in various parts of the country and noted that upon completion, there would be greater transformation within the schools to improve the teaching and learning environment. The Vice-President later called on the Regent of Zabzugu, Sang Lana Mahamadu Salifu, and addressed the people who, upon hearing of his presence in the town, converged on the regent's palace to hear Alhaji Mahama. Earlier at Bimbilla, the Vice-President, who had been mobbed by a large number of people in the area, had said the government had achieved a lot for the country over the past years and was more fired up to do more to ensure the prosperity of the people. He asked the people to live in peace at all times. Source: Daily Graphic