Students advised against illicit and alcohol

Sekondi, Feb 28, GNA - Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo, the Minister of Education and sports, has advised students against the use of illicit drugs and alcohol to enhance their academic performance.

He gave the advice in an address read for him at the third Founders Day of Saint John's Secondary School at Sekondi at the weekend. The Day was under the theme "Saint John's After 50 Years: The Challenges of Educating the Male Child".

Mr Osafo-Maafo said illicit drugs and alcohol as well as lateness to school, stealing and truancy have ruined the future of many bright students.

He said these habits are destructive and lead to indiscipline, premarital sex, disease and untimely death. Mr Osafo-Maafo said the easy access to the Internet, availability of various literature and foreign ideas have made the male child vulnerable.

He said the male child should be well educated and equipped with leadership qualities to enable him take up responsible position in future.

Rev Br Joseph K. B. Annan, the Headmaster of the school, said public statements by some politicians that students registered for examination could not be sacked had compelled many students to misapply their school fees.

He said the placing of examination results on the Internet by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) made it difficult for heads of schools to collect unpaid fees from final year students. Rev Br Annan said 16 out of a teaching staff of 115 are accommodated on campus while eight others are staying at Anaji low cost bungalows allocated to the school. He said the Ministry of Works and Housing had declared its intention to sell the low cost bungalows but the school cannot raise funds to buy the houses occupied by the teachers.

Master Kwaku Boafo, the Senior Prefect, said the school needed a library, school bus and boarding facilities to make teaching and learning easier and convenient. Master Kwame Bediako Akufo was adjudged the best-behaved student and Mr Paul Nyamekye received the best teacher award. They were all presented with book prizes.