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The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Ms Sherry Ayittey, has advised educational institutions to pay attention to critical thinking and problem-solving approaches to teaching at both the secondary and tertiary levels. She said there was the need to assess the mismatch between the preparations given to students to enable them to pass their examinations and to graduate, and the practical realities of life after graduation, and pointed out that there was the need to help students to connect theory with applications. She also advised students to show positive attitudes and make good use of their talents in order to not waste the time on their hands. Ms Ayittey was speaking at the 46th Speech and Prize-giving Day of the Labone Senior High School in Accra on Saturday. She said it was prudent for educational institutions to prepare their students for the future by effectively combining science education and critical thinking to offer students with various opportunities to reduce poverty and unemployment. Self and National Development Ms Ayittey said efforts by an individual to develop him or herself for national development largely depended on the creative method of teaching and learning, adding that, �Making education more accessible to more students is the hallmark of the 21st century and indeed the cutting edge of development.� She advised the students to exercise discipline and a good sense of judgment in the use of modern technologies to ensure they achieved the best outcomes for themselves and their communities. The Headmistress of the school, Ms Mary Amankwah, mentioned inadequate classroom blocks, dormitories and accommodation for staff, as some of the challenges confronting the school, and appealed to governmental and non-governmental organisations for support. The school has a total population of 2,750 students, made up of 1,450 males and 1,300 females.