Deputy Minister for Education Rev. John Ntim Fordjour says quality education is the best cure to poverty.

He assured the government is committed to making the necessary investments to create appropriate environments for pupils and students to be able to access quality education.

The deputy minister speaking during a two-day tour of selected schools in Assin South Constituency urged students to commit to improved learning outcomes and become innovative in their studies so they are empowered enough to rise above poverty.

Some of the schools he visited include his alma mater Assin Manso Senior High School, Assin Amoabin D/A Primary School, and the Assin Asamankese D/A Junior High School.

The MP donated digital piano, as well as stationary including exercise books, sets of crayons, and pencil packs to the schools. Veronica buckets and handwashing soaps were also donated to help protect the students from Covid-19.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour disclosed that government is committed to ensuring every school-going Ghanaian child by the age of ten years is reading and writing proficiently.

He said the Ministry of Education will help create a conducive learning environment and the necessary interventions to guarantee this outcome.

Mr Fordjour stated that one of these interventions, spearheaded by the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, was the introduction of the National Standardized Test (NST).

He indicated that the NST aimed not only at seeking to improve learning outcomes but also reduce learning poverty across the country.

The Deputy Minister stated that all primary four students in Ghana will be the first batch to sit for this test, adding it will also give government the opportunity to assess the challenges inherent and roll out the necessary remedial actions when they were in class five.

He appealed to chiefs, parents, guardians, and the general public to give the government its full backing to implement solid policies and programs for the betterment of the country.

“Children are the future of the country, and nothing should hinder them from achieving their dreams. There are, among them, those with exceptional talents and skills, gifted and talented kids and they need to be guided and mentored appropriately", the deputy minister said.

Headmaster of the Assin Asamankese D/A Basic School Seth Adjei thanked the minister for the items and promised to put them to good use.

Traditional leaders and Education Ministry officials escorted the deputy minister on the visits.