Discipline, commitment; hallmark of Black Stars

Takoradi, Oct.18, GNA - The Minister of Education and Sports has said that discipline, commitment and team spirit has been the secret of the success of the current national football team, the Black Stars. He said even though one cannot describe the players as extra ordinary but in their play together one can see a lot of 'camaradie' and togetherness that ensures they chalk success.

The Minister said this in an address at the opening ceremony of the 12th annual Conference of District Directors of Education (CODDE) in Takoradi on Monday, adding that it is hoped that governmental institutions would take a cue from the success story of the team and adopt the right attitude to work.

He said that even though the national team had in the past had a galaxy of players, most of them lacked the commitment, discipline and dedication to make them achieve the ultimate of qualifying to World Cup competition.

Mr. Osafo-Maafo urged CODDE members as managers of basic schools and other associations within the education sector to cultivate the right attitude to work to achieve the needed success. "Under the Education Reform programme, locality and economic status of parents should not be the reason for school-going children to stay out of school".

"Construction and provision of schools and textbooks and training of teachers would be stepped up to meet the needs of the expected increase in numbers of students", he said.

A number of measures would also be put in place to ensure effective supervision and improve discipline in the education sector, he said.