Accra, Aug. 9, GNA - Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, on Monday said there was no ban on vacation classes as rumoured in the past.

He said vacation classes could be organised within laid down guidelines by the Metropolitan Education Directorate to ensure that it was done orderly.

"Some people tend to manipulate vacation classes and use it as a commercial venture to extort money from parents and some children take undue advantage of their parents, that is why some schools are forced to ban vacation classes," Nii Ashietey explained.

Nii Ashietey was addressing the opening session of vacation classes organised for all form two Junior High School (JHS) students in Korle Klottey Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

The vacation classes are to ensure that students are assisted to adequately prepare for their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) next year.

It begins from Monday, August 9 and ends on September 3, and sponsored by Nii Ashietey, who is also the Member of Parliament for the area.

He said the class was free for all JHS Two students and urged parents and teachers to ensure their children participated to ensure maximum success in next year's BECE.

Nii Ashietey expressed worry about the fallen educational standards in the constituency and expressed hope that the classes would be a positive intervention to raise the standard of education in the area.

He noted that the classes would keep students academically busy throughout the holidays instead of using their time aimlessly at the cyber cafes and video game centres.

"There should be no excuse for any second year JHS student within Osu Klottey Sub-metropolitan area not to attend the classes due to inability to pay," he said.

Nii Ashietey advised staff and students not to relent in their efforts to promote and sustain a high standard of discipline since it was the foundation upon, which academic excellence would be achieved.

"It is the right of every child and young person to have access to quality education.however good moral life is very essential to the development of our youth," he added.

Mr Alfred Kofi Osei, Accra Metropolitan Director of Education, lauded the initiative, and said it was being sponsored from MP's share of the Assemblies Common Fund as well as provision of furniture, books and other educational materials for schools in the area.

He said: "I am happy that our children now would have their holidays spent in a better way."

Mrs Gladys Bugri, Officer-In-Charge of Education, said the classes were being organised simultaneously in all three circuits within the Osu Klottey Sub-Metropolitan area.

She urged owners of cyber cafes and video game centres not to admit students during school hours to enable them concentrate on their studies.

Miss Rosemond Asmah, a student, expressed appreciation to the Regional Minister for the kind gesture and pledged they would take full advantage of the classes and hope it would be an annual affair.