Include PE in SSS examination - Prof Andam

Apam, Feb. 26, GNA - Professor Kwesi Andam, Chairman of Andam Chartered Engineers, has called for the inclusion of Physical Education (PE) in the examinations for senior secondary schools. Practical participation of pupils and students must always be displayed on certificates of Ghanaian pupils and students at all levels of education, he said.

Prof. Andam, a former Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) noted that sports and games were inseparable from academic courses and the two should complement each other for a successful student to emerge as a role model. He made the point at the Central Region Schools and Colleges Sports Association, Zone 4 Annual Inter School Tracks and Field competition at Apam Secondary School.

Prof Andam expressed regret that PE had been relegated to the background and urged the Ghana Education Service to ensure that the subject was given serious attention in schools.

He attributed the increase in heart-related diseases in the country to the neglect of PE in schools.

"If PE is given serious attention in our schools our hospital bills will reduce drastically", he stated and urged the government to support the training of PE tutors in the universities and to provide sports fields for schools.

Ms Joyce Aidoo, Gomoa District Chief Executive (DCE), urged schools to use sports and games to promote unity and discipline.

She said sports and games had become lucrative ventures and appealed to parents to encourage their children to take them serious. Mr. Alex Amponfi-Duku, Headmaster of the Enyan-Denkyira Secondary Technical School and Chairman of the Zone, commended the schools forming the Association for putting up high performances.

Apam Secondary School won both boys and girls divisions with 135 and 128 points respectively. Andam Secondary Technical, a private school at Kasoa also won the second position in both the boys and girls divisions with 77 and 75 points respectively.

Enyan Denkyira Secondary took the 3rd position in the boys division with 64 points followed by Potsin T.I. Ahmadiyya Secondary School with 49 points, Senya Secondary and Apam Charity Secondary scored 45 and 43 points to place 5th and 6th in that order.

Gomoa Secondary Technical School took the 7th position with 26 points, Ekumfi T.I. Ahmadiyya and Mando Secondary tied for the 8th position with 23 points each while Winneba Secondary and Winneba School of Business had 21 and nine points to place 10th and 11th respectively. Bisease Secondary Commercial School was 12th with 7 points.

In girls division, Winneba Secondary School came 3rd with 70 points, Potsin Ahmadiyya, Bisease Secondary Commercial followed with 67 with 49 points respectively, Gomoa Secondary Technical School came 6th with 33 points, Senya Secondary placed 7th with 28 points, Winneba School of Business and Charity got 15 points to place 8th.

Winneba Zion tied for the 9th position with 12 point, Ekumfi Ahmadiyya, 11th with four points followed by Enyan Denkyira with one point. Enya Denkyira was adjudged the Best behaved school, whilst Mary Quansah of APASS won the best athlete. She was first in 100 and 200 metres, second in 400 metres and led the relay team to win the 4 x 400 metres race.