Discipline must match academic excellence-Minister

Ho, May 24, GNA- Academic excellence without discipline is meaningless, Dr. Joseph Annan, Deputy Minister of Education has said. He therefore urged authorities of Senior High Schools in the country to give utmost attention to co-curricular activities which, he said instiled discipline, sense of justice and understanding of principles in students and pupils.

Dr. Annan was addressing the 59th Honours Day of Mawuli School, Ho on Saturday on the theme, "The Place of Co-curricular Activities in the Enhancement of Discipline and Academic Work." He said debate, drama and sports are useful in developing broad minded and disciplined students and urged students to give prime time to these as they do to their books.

"Do not be only mindful of how to study and pass your exams but how to broaden your mind and be a morally fit personality." He said it is proven that students who partake in co-curricular activities are good academically and have the spirit of "yes we can", tolerance and innovation.

Dr. Annan therefore urged schools to provide good environment where teachers serve as good role models in principles of discipline to students if they should become responsible citizens. "Create more co-curricular programmes and encourage students to participate to develop principles of moral virtues," he said. He similarly urged parents to encourage their children to participate in co-curricular activities in schools so that their children could develop into total personalities. Mr. Martin T.K. Amiteye, Assistant Headmaster of Mawuli School, in a speech read for the Headmaster said majority of students exhibit acceptable behaviour though some appear to be living dual lives; one at school, another at home.

He said academic work and discipline in general in the School had been improving in the last few years. Mr Amiteye said in last year for example, the School chalked 100 per cent in the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations with 359 out of 426 candidates qualifying to enter university. He said the School had many other successes to its credit but was faced with infrastructural challenges. Of note is the School's Assembly Hall project abandoned since 1999 when it was started under the Public Investment Project. Mr. Amiteye said the School also needed more accommodation facilities for its staff, administration and library blocks, resource centre for the blind, a 19-seater water closet for girls and fencing of the School against errant students and encroachers. Master Ernest Nutsugah, Chief Officer of the School said discipline in the School had led students to make more effective use of prep time, reduced absenteeism and improved attendance at school functions unlike before.

He said though indiscipline was not completely eradicated, disciplinary cases had reduced in the School to the extent that no student was dismissed in the academic year. Master Nutsugah however, expressed worry about the School's infrastructure and appealed to government, former students and other stakeholders to support the School re-gain its past glory. He commended the efforts of Old Mawuli Students Union (OMSU) North America and the School's Parents Teachers Association for various forms of support and urged them to do more to rebuild the School's library and donate books to it.

Students and staff of the School who distinguished themselves in various fields of work, including academic and co-curricular activities were honoured. 24 May 09