Bechem (B/A), Nov. 13, GNA - The Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend urged students to eschew laziness and immoral behaviour that would impede their academic progress and moral training. He appealed to teachers to recognise their role and importance in the provision of quality education.
The Vice President gave the advice in a speech read for him at the 40th speech and prize-giving day of the Presbyterian Secondary School (PRESEC) at Bechem.
He asked students to show gratitude to the nation for providing educational facilities and advised them to protect school properties. "When there is a misunderstanding with school authorities the way to resolve it is not to vandalise facilities provided for your welfare." "School authorities do not own the facilities. You deny yourselves the use of the facilities and if we have to replace them, it will be through the toil of your parents", he said.
The Vice President explained that the idea of quality education had become a popular aspiration of the citizen, adding, "Every country sees it as a panacea to the needs of their communities and a sine qua non to steady nation building".
Vice President Mahama said the commitment, competence and personality of teachers, as well as infrastructure were factors that contributed to quality education and the government was doing its best to provide the necessary educational facilities.
He appealed to parents and other stakeholders to pay more attention to the training of their children and commended the Presbyterian Church for its immense sacrifice towards the development of the school. Mr. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, said the government recognised that education provided the most reliable medium for ensuring the rapid social, economic, political and technological development of the country.
He said quality education had declined in recent times and it was against this background that the government was doing all in its power to provide the appropriate policies and programmes to revamp the educational system to conform to the expectations of the 21st century. Mr. Baffour-Awuah observed that the school was among four in the region selected to be upgraded into model ones and expressed the hope that the measure would expand the school's infrastructure and modernise its facilities.
He said the government appreciated the Church's contributions to the improvement in the quality of life of the people and would work to keep the relationship to encourage it to continue to make more contributions towards the country's socio-economic development.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, said in a speech read for him that Presbyterian schools were noted for high level of discipline and good moral behaviour among both students and staff.
He appealed to school authorities to continue to inculcate discipline as well as traditional values, which he said, were pre-requisites for academic excellence.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu advised the students to detest occultism and other social evils and concentrate on their studies to become responsible citizens in future. He gave the assurance that the Manhyia Palace was ready to assist the school at all times.
The Reverend R.R. Brobbey, Regional Presbytery Chairman and Board Chairman of the school, appealed to parents and school authorities to inculcate Christian virtues in the students. Mr. F.Y. Asamoah, the Headmaster of the School, thanked the government for the selection of the school for upgrading. 13 Nov 06
