President of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) in the Akatsi South and North Districts, Gatepe Wonder, has called on parents to make education of their children a priority.
He made the call during an educational campaign programme organised for some selected schools in both Districts, commencing from the Akatsi Demonstration Junior High School (JHS) last Friday, May 23.
Present at the occasion to give motivational talks include, Mr. Senyo Ackutu, English Tutor at Akatsi Senior High School (SHS), Mr. Jordan Dzikunu, NCCE Programmes Officer (Akatsi South District), Mr. Kwadzo Gbekor, a retired headmaster of Afife SHS, Charles Suglo, the Morning Show
Host of Shine 96.9 FM, a sports presenter at Kaleawo 107.3 FM, Livingston Wamade etc.
They, in their message, advised the students against indiscipline, drug abuse, and other anti-social behaviour.
Mr. Gatepe Wonder, said that apart from parents unearthing the potentials in their wards and helping them to acquire knowledge and skills, the children constituted assets to the development of every nation.
The programme, which lasted for hours, was also aimed at eliminating the poor attitude of students to studies, poor sanitation, environmental health, patronage of property rate payment to enhance other developmental projects in both Districts.
According to Mr. Gatepe, the Volta Region from time immemorial, is noted for its producing intellectuals, therefore, is highly respected nationwide.
Theses attributes, however, faded away by the day as academic excellence in the region kept declining.
He explained that for the past seven years, the Akatsi District could no longer, statistically, hit at least 50 percent in the BECE.
Currently, statistics proved that in 2011, the District scored 33.24 per cent, 31.72 per cent in 2012, and 29.02 per cent in 2013.
The existing �Okada� business, the use of cell phones by students, ignorance of most wards and parents on the value of education, lack of supervision of parents and guardians, lack of commitment of some teachers to their profession, indiscipline among some students, indulgence in early sex, peer group influence amongst other things, Mr. Gatepe noted, are responsible for the short fall of academic excellence in the District.
He further indicated that unavailability of teaching materials, as well as some schools in the Districts where a teacher or two combines classes one to six, instead of each class for a particular teacher.
He pleaded that the authorities concerned wake up to the responsibility of ensuring that the poor standard of education in the Akatsi South and North Districts are improved,
Wonder Gatepe, however, appealed to the NDC-led government, philanthropists and non-governmental organizations to support them achieve their targeted goals as an association.
<<Print>>