E/R Minister joins pupils to celebrate "my first day at school"

Asamankese, Sept 17, GNA - The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Afram-Asiedu, on Tuesday joined pupils in the West Akyem and Akuapem South Districts to celebrate 'my first day at school". Accompanied by the Regional Director of Education, Mrs Renee Boakye-Danquah, they visited public basic schools at Adoagyiri, Nsawam and the surrounding towns in Akuapem North and South Districts and in Mepom in the West Akyem Municipality. About 200 new comers had been registered and enrolled at the kindergartens and primary one in the various schools at the first day of re-opening in the schools visited by the team. "My first day at school" was instituted a few years ago by the government to entertain new children in public schools on their first day of enrolment in kindergarten and primary one to encourage them to stay in the schools.

Mr Afram-Asiedu, who distributed caps, exercise books, plastic cups and other items to the children said, the gesture, was part of an initiative to make education accessible to all children. He explained that as part of government's resolve for every child to have access to at least basic education; the programme was instituted to enable government officials and other influential people to visit schools and cheer the new comers up to remove any fear they might harbor about going to school.

Mrs Boakye-Danquah called on the parents to complement the efforts of government towards education by providing their children with the necessary needs for school. She expressed her worry over the habit of some parents not giving their children food before sending them to school, adding that, breakfast also contributed a lot to the learning process of children. The Regional Director urged parents to ensure that the newly enrolled children did not drop from the schools because "they are the future leaders". The children, who seemed happy and relaxed, entertained the Regional minister and his team to songs they learnt earlier in the morning. 17 Sept. 08