Promote girl-child education - Regional Director

Tarkwa (W/R), Aug. 20, GNA - Mr Ahmed Daramanu, Western Regional Director of Education, has stressed the need for the elimination of practices that hinder the chances of girls to have the full benefit of education.

Speaking at the 12th Speech and Prize-Giving Day of the Western University College (WUC) Primary and Junior Secondary School (JSS) at Tarkwa, he called on traditional authorities to encourage girl-child education.

Mr Daramanu urged parents to help their children to appreciate the value of education as individuals and for the society.

He said some children do not appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of their parents and guardians in ensuring their education and called on the Guidance and Counselling Units to draw up programmes on the usefulness of education.

The Regional Director noted that the result of lack of education were poverty, filth, squalor and disease.

He said Parent Teacher Association (PTA) dues and levies should be affordable and in line with Ghana Education Service guidelines. Mr Daramanu said the government in spite of financial constraints was providing resources and called on stakeholders to "put their shoulders to the wheel of progress" in response to the call for private sector involvement in the development of education.

In an address read on his behalf, Osagyefo Kwamina Enimil VI, Omanhene of Wassa Fiase Traditional Area, asked parents to guard against the use of indecent language.

"Education starts at the mother's knee and every word spoken to the hearing of children go to form their character".

He commended the teachers for the outstanding academic performance and advised the pupils to be disciplined and respectful to their parents and the school authorities.

Mr. Ato Paintsil, Head Teacher, said out of 62 pupils for last year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), 54 had between aggregate six and 10.

The Head Teacher said the management had taken a difficult decision to reduce the number in a class, adding, "this has become necessary in order not to compromise standards for money".

Nana Ama Mireku-Gyima, Senior Prefect appealed for assistance for the school to build a well-equipped science and computer laboratories to promote the teaching and learning.

Esther Agoba, a JSS two pupil was adjudged the best student. She took seven out of 10 awards and was first in the "Omnibus Examination" conducted by the school.