Schools in Kpetoe area near empty on market days

Kpetoe, Feb. 26, GNA - Between 60 to 65 per cent of pupils in Kpetoe and its environs do not go to school on market days. As a result, schools in the area become virtually half empty every five days.

Most of the pupils both boys and girls do business for their parents or guardians while some loiter about in the market. When the Ghana News Agency visited the Kpetoe Market on Monday, children of school going age were seen busily selling foodstuffs and water among others.

A class one pupil, Gifty Degborsi who said she is 13 years old, said she skips school every market day to sell soaps to support her mother financially. She said almost all her friends do same every market day and that their teachers were aware and would not punish them. When the GNA visited the Saint Mary's Anglican Basic School only 50 out of 200 pupils were in attendance while 10 out of 30 students at the Junior High School were present. Ms Freda Bedzra, Headmistress of the School said "some of the children come to school and after first break they don't come back to class."

She said many of them are living with guardians while others fend for themselves. Ms. Bedzra said she and her staff had warned parents, guardians and the pupils against the practice but to no avail. Meanwhile, the GNA gathered from some students that the school's infrastructure especially that of the Junior High School which is under a shed made of palm fronts and did not encourage them to go to school regularly especially during the rainy season. The basic school is also a pavilion.