Accra, 15 GNA - Dr. Alfred Vanderpuije, Chief Executive Officer, Accra Metropolitan Assembly, on Tuesday pledged to end the shift system in most public basic schools in the metropolis.

This, he said, would be done within the shortest possible time to halt truancy among school children and also enable them study and stay in school for the hours required by law.

Addressing the press after touring some basic schools in the metropolis as part the 'My First Day at School' programme, he expressed worry about the dilapidated nature of some school buildings and the level of encroachment of some school lands and pledged to commit more of the Assemblies' resources for renovation works and removal of encroachers.

"The Assembly would do all it could to ensure that our children study in a conducive environment with all the needed learning materials devoid of all uncalled for activities", he said. He called for the establishment of counselling units in all schools to guide the pupils in their choice of courses and also advise them when need be.

Dr. Vanderpiuje appealed to parents to be more concerned about the education of their wards and frequently visit their schools to ascertain their performance.

He pledged to work closely with all educational authorities and teachers within the metropolis for the good of the Assembly and the cause of education.

The schools that the mayor visited included Mamprobi cluster of Schools, Accra New Town Experimental cluster of schools and La Wireless cluster of schools.

At Mamprobi, 42 children were admitted to the kindergarten grade one while 30 pupils were also admitted to Primary one but at the time of visit only 25 had reported to school.

At the Accra New Town Experimental Cluster of school, 40 pupils were admitted into kindergarten while 100 pupils were enrolled for Primary one. The 100 pupils who were admitted for Primary one were distributed among the four schools that formed the cluster. Mrs. Paulina Siaw, a teacher at the school, appealed to the mayor to put up a new block to replace an old one which was built of mud and wood years back.

At La wireless cluster of schools, 50 pupils were admitted to kindergarten while 31 pupils were also admitted to Primary one. With the exception of Accra New Town, the rest of the schools visited were not beneficiaries of the School Feeding Programme. Mr. Vanderpuije advised the pupils to be respectful, cooperate with their teachers and study hard since it was the only means by which they could become successful in future.