Teachers advised to stay focused

Kumasi, May 21, GNA - Mr Andrews Akyampong, Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), has advised teachers not to allow financial constraints to detract their attention from giving off their best in helping to improve the standards of education.

He said there was the need for teachers to stay focused and refrain from negative attitudes that would bring down the standard of education. Mr Akyampong was speaking at the sixth graduation day and prize-giving ceremony of Good Shepherd Catholic Junior Secondary School at Ahinsan Estate in Kumasi on Friday.

The ceremony was under the theme: "Towards Academic and Moral Excellence".

He urged the students to keep the flag of the school very high by exhibiting excellence in their academic pursuits and maintaining good moral conducts wherever they might find themselves.

The Most Rev Gabriel Justice Anokye, Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi, stressed that education constituted the bedrock of any human development as well as the scientific and technological advancement of any society.

He said it was therefore incumbent on stakeholders especially parents to enhance the intellectual capabilities of their children and teachers to help raise morality and performance in schools.

Mr James Osman Adjei, Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator, Guidance and Counselling of the Ghana Education Service (GES), urged parents to assist teachers to instil discipline in the children.

He said: "The moulding and uplifting of children is not dependent on teachers alone but parents as well".

Reverend Sister Maria Murphy, Headteacher, said the school, which was 11 years old, for the third time ranked first in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Kumasi metropolis.

She commended the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and the past students for their continued support and assistance towards the development of the school.

Mr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, the PTA chairman, expressed appreciation about the academic performance of the school, adding that the PTA would continue to assist the school in its development. Prizes were presented to students and staff.