Community leaders should promote education

Nyinase (B/A), May 17, GNA - Mr. Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, Nkoranza South District Chief Executive (DCE), on Monday urged community and religious leaders in the area to ensure that all local children of school-going age are enrolled.

He stressed that they should also adopt the relevant strategies to keep them in school.

Mr. Agyekum who was addressing community leaders of Nyinase and Kwafre at separate meetings during an inspection of on-going school projects also presented furniture to the schools.

He expressed concern about the practice where some parents in the two settler farming communities sent their children to farm instead of school and advised them to reverse the trend in the interest of the children.

The DCE said it would be a sheer waste of resources if the Government constructed school blocks furnished with furniture, besides the provision of free school uniforms for pupils, and the children are keep out such facilities.

Mr. Agyekum therefore called on the community leaders to educate the people on the importance of education whilst ensuring the retention of the children by paying occasional visits to the schools.

The DCE charged members of School Management Committees (SMCs) and the executives of the Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in the two communities to help facilitate quality teaching and learning.

Madam Philippa Banson, Nkoranza South District Director of Education, appreciated the efforts of teachers who accept postings to deprived communities and called on the community leaders of such places to offer them the necessary support to sustain their interests.

She pleaded with teachers of deprived communities to offer selfless and dedicated services but deplored the negative attitudes and practices of some teachers who reported late to school.

Madam Banson said the excuse by such teachers that they lived far away from the schools was unacceptable.

She however sympathized with such teachers and urged them to 93manage the situation" by delivering their best to improve upon standards of education in the communities.

Nana Agyei Baffo, Odikro of Nyinase, commended the District Assembly for constructing a six-classroom block for the school in the area. Nana Baffo advised Unit Committee members of the communities to visit the households during school hours to check absenteeism and truancy of some of the pupils.