Legon PRESEC Marks Day

Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports on Saturday expressed regret about the many social vices that are eating into society, especially in schools and called on all to help eliminate them.

He said: "in recent times, our schools have been plagued with social vices such as alcoholism, robbery, rape, drug abuse, teenage pregnancies among others.

"These vices are gradually but persistently spreading among the youth in schools to such an extent that if nothing is done about it we will be plunging the nation into irresponsible hands in the future."

The Minister expressed these concerns in a speech read for him by Mr Rashid Bawa, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports at the 65th Speech and Prize-Giving Day of the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC), Legon, in Accra.

The anniversary on the theme: "Quality Education in a disciplined environment," was sponsored mainly by the 1978 year-group of the school's Old Boys Association. The group decided to sponsor the celebrations as part of activities marking their Silver Jubilee of leaving the school.

Mr Baah-Wiredu described the theme as most appropriate, because achieving quality education could not be realised without a high sense of discipline among students and adults alike.

He said the government on his part would continue to demonstrate a high level of discipline as well as total commitment to improve the educational system by expanding infrastructure, improving facilities, providing incentives for teachers and ensure quality education within a disciplined environment.

The Minister praised the Presbyterian Church for playing a pioneering role in the provision of quality education and character training to the future leaders and for its crusade against the spate of indiscipline in society. He advised the students to obey laid down school rules and regulations which had been designed to help curb negative tendencies that could derail their dream to achieve high academic standards and great future ambitions.

The Headmaster, Mr Joseph J. Asare in his annual report announced that the Board of Governors had initiated a discussion on opening another stream, which would be strictly a day school on the Legon compound to meet the increasing demands of candidates seeking admission.