Asantehene advices students

Obuasi, May 01, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, last Friday advised students to avoid smoking, alcoholism, hard drugs and sexual promiscuity that would not help them to attain good moral standards. He said students should rather aim at academic excellence and good citizenship to become successful in society.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu gave the advice in a speech read on his behalf by Nana Adu Gyamfi, Asanteman Adontenhene at the 40th Speech and Prize-giving day of Obuasi Senior Secondary/Technical School at Obuasi. It was under the theme, "Contemporary Science, Vocational and Technical Education - The Hope of the Nation."

The Asantehene said dedication and commitment to hard work, extensive reading, honesty, overcoming the temptation of cheating and self-discipline formed part of the secret to academic success. He asked students to identify and respect social norms because good moral standards formed the bedrock of good functioning society. The Asantehene paid tribute to pioneers of the school adding; "I wish to pay tribute and show appreciation for the role played especially by workers of the school throughout the past four decades. Without them this school would not have enjoyed the clean, safe and serene environment conducive to serious academic work."

Otumfuo Osei Tutu called on the school authorities to consider promoting innovative ideas such as internship, long vacation working programmes, which would enable the students, have the taste and experience of realities of the business world on campus. Nana J.Y. Oppong, Headmaster of the school in his report, said the percentage passes in six to eight subjects in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) increased from 61.5 per cent in 2004 to 64.1 per cent in 2005.

He said the school, which in the past was associated with notoriety, had now witnessed moral revolution as discipline among the students had improved over the years.

Nana Oppong appealed to Government for the construction of an assembly hall, library, girls' dormitory, additional classrooms and staff bungalows, a truck to cart VOTEC materials and a school bus. Master Alan Seth Frans, Senior Prefect, said lack of furniture was affecting effective teaching.

He said the school was faced with poor boarding facilities.