School children abandon classes for video shows

Techiman (B/A), Nov. 25, GNA- School children of Wangaraline electoral area in the Techiman District of Brong-Ahafo have been abandoning classes for video shows, Mr George Adu-Kaakyire, Assembly member for the area has said.

He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that studies conducted by the unit committee in the area had shown that majority of the pupils "choose to attend video shows than to attending school".

Schools at Gyarko, Islamic, Baptist and Zongo, which do not experience absenteeism, have improved in academic performance, the Assembly Member added. Mr Adu-Kaakyire said as part of measures to clamp down on the situation, a 12-member task force had been set up to arrest such children of school going age who attend video shows during school hours.

He called on parents to educate their children to desist from the practice and to co-operate with the task force to help to improve the standard of education in the area.

Mr Adu-Kaakyire suggested to the government to enact a law that would deal with parents who shirk their responsibilities towards children.

He cautioned video operators not to allow children to attend shows during school hours, adding that the District Assembly's byelaws provided stringent punishment for recalcitrant operators.

Mr. Adu-Kaakyire appealed to hairdressers, barbers and tailors to dispose of waste materials in waste containers, and not in gutters.