Social Media should not distract your studies- Dep Minister

With the upsurge in the use of social media by the youth to communicate and entertain themselves, students have been advised not to allow its usage to affect their studies adversely.

This, according to the Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, will help students focus more on their studies instead of spending most of their time playing games and engaging in other activities on social media that are counter productive to their education.

He gave the advice over the weekend at Mepe in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region during the maiden speech and prize-giving day organised by the Mepe Education Congress (MEC) under the theme "Promoting Quality Education Through Active Community Effort"

Mr. Okudzeto, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, pledged his support for the award winners from his MP's Common Fund as they(pupils) progress through the various stages of education up to the tertiary level.

He mentioned the provision of vehicles to some selected schools, building of schools, posting of more teachers to deprived schools, payment of capitation grants among others as government's continuous investment in education in the district and across the country.

The deputy minister called on other communities in the district to learn from MEC by instituting a similar award scheme to generate competition among pupils in their localities. He donated an amount of GHS 2,000 towards this year's speech and prize giving day

On his part,the Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) who was represented by the Public Relations Officer of GES as the Guest of Honour, Rev. Jonathan Bettey advised parents not to neglect their supervisory and motivational responsibilities in their homes by complementing government and teachers' efforts in making sure students receive the best of education.

The GES boss cautioned teachers to abstain from alcoholism,absenteeism and other vices that negatively affect teaching and studies.

The District Chief Executive of the area,Madam Delphia Fafa Agbai;Mr Kwami Alorvi, a native of the town and former NAGRAT president and headmaster of the John Evans Atta Mills Community Day Senior High School at Ekumfi Otuam; and other invited dignitaries took turns to advise the pupils to take their studies seriously.

Thirteen (13) primary and nine (9) junior high schools respectively,in the Mepe traditional area and departments of St. Kizito Secondary Technical School, sat for the exams.

Mr Adanya Dickson of Mepe Presby Primary-Class 6 was adjudged the overall best student. Open Heavens Academy and Holy Christ J.H.S. came atop in the inter-school Science and Maths Quiz at the primary and JHS levels respectively while Nallah House came first after the St Kizito inter-house competition.