Increase in social vices blamed on poor educational curricula

Mataheko (Dangme West), Sept 23, GNA - Apostle John Adotey, Chairman of the Ghana Pentecostal Council (GPC) on Monday blamed the increase in social vices in the country on poor educational curricula. "I blame the high rate of violence, corruption, drug abuse and armed robbery in the country on the type of education our youth receives from the schools," Apostle Adotey said.

He was speaking at the dedication of the Life International College at Mataheko in the Dangme West District.

The GH¢ 2.7 million College, which is in the second phase of construction has 18 classrooms, boys and girls hostels, offices and teachers flats, while a three storey building which would have a science and computer laboratory is at the foundation level. Apostle Adotey said the youth has been morally corrupt due to the absence of Christian based values in the school curricula of both the basic, second cycle and tertiary education.

Apostle Adotey, who was a former Head of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), stated that lack of the relevant Christian moral education has also led to more students being introduced into occult practices by their peers and some teachers.

The GPC Chairman therefore pleaded with churches and other educational stakeholders to formulate policies that would help restore the lost moral fiber of the country noting that "the moral fiber of the old and young is broken".

He further called on school authorities especially Christian based institutions to combine social and Christian morals into their activities to ensure that the students receive training in secular morality.

Apostle Adotey observed that Christian academic excellence could be achieved through competent, God-fearing management and teachers as well as the provision of an enabling environment. He added that discipline must prevail among teachers and management for it to be transferred to students. He urged parents not to attack school authorities when they disciplined their children.

The GPC Chairman also asked parents to show interest in their children's education by monitoring their progress and activities in school as well as interacting with teachers. Mrs Victoria Opoku, Tema Metropolitan Director of Education, urged churches, communities, individuals and cooperate organizations to construct more schools to augment the effort of the government. Mrs Opoku said government alone could not provide the needed education for school going children, adding that, stakeholders must help the country to achieve its aim of providing education for all children by the year 2015.

She pleaded with parents not to shirk their responsibilities but should rather invest in their children by paying their school fees in full to help school authorities run their institutions efficiently. Rev Dr Gordon Kisseih, General Overseer of the Miracle Life Gospel Church said the vision of the LIC was to provide civilization, progressive development and build the character of students. He said the Church has spent GH¢730,000 on the project noting that the four-phase project would be fully completed in five years. The College is an extension of Life International Primary and Junior High School.