Instil morality into youth- Boateng

Begoro (Eastern Region), 6th July 99 -

Mr David S. Boateng, a presidential aid, has urged churches and missions to promote disciplinary codes in their schools to redeem their image as advocates of morality adding that the government is concerned about the recent spate of youth violence and criminality by students from such schools.

Speaking at the fourth graduation and open day of the Presbyterian Women's Vocational Institute at Begoro on Saturday, Mr. Boateng said "It behoves on the clergy, traditional rulers and parents to put their feet firmly on the ground to stem the tide of rising youth criminality in the country."

He said the government attaches great importance to vocational and technical education, adding that plans are far advanced to procure equipment for all vocational schools.

Mr Boateng indicated that a national education forum is slated for September this year to review the performance of the educational reform programme.

The forum will bring together all stakeholders in education to discuss the 12 years of the implementation of the educational reform programme and find ways of sustaining it.

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, commended the institute for training women to acquire skills and advised the graduands to let the proverbial Presbyterian discipline be their guiding principle to enable them to become responsible citizens.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, also the Member of Parliament for Begoro, appealed to the Fanteakwa District Assembly and the District Directorate of Ghana Education Service to set up an investigation team to probe the alleged pregnancy of eight girls in junior secondary schools by some students in Begoro.

Mrs. Agnes Ansah Anim, principal of the institute, said the institute had trained about 4,000 women in dressmaking, hairdressing, catering, batik/ tie/dye since its elevation to an intermediary level in 1985.

She said advanced courses would be introduced next year while a new garment factory would be opened soon and appealed to individuals and organisations for financial assistance.

GRi?/