The Effutu Municipal Education directorate has expressed concern about the poor results of basic schools in the area, despite the fact that 87 percent of their teachers have first and second degrees in education.

The directorate has therefore appealed to stakeholders in education in the area to help reverse the situation.

Mrs Ruth Ackon, Effutu Municipal Director of Education made this known when she addressed the 6th Annual Youth Mock Assembly programme at Gyaahadze in the Effutu Municipality of the Central Region.

It was under the theme “Challenge of the Millennium, the youth must tell their story“.

The Youth Mock Assembly discussed topics including child abuse and the various forms they take, adolescent sexual reproductive health issues including HIV/AIDS, unsafe abortion and drug abuse.

The programme organized by the Effutu Municipal office of the National Youth Authority and sponsored by Plan Ghana, was aimed at helping the youth to unearth their God given talents and voice out some of the challenges hampering their development.

She said the percentage of the qualified number of teachers do not correspond with the expectant BECE results.

The Municipal Director blamed the students for not taking their studies serious but rather engages in social vices.

Mrs Ackon charged parents and guardians not to shirk their responsibilities, and endeavour to provide basic needs to their children especially the girl-child to promote their education.

According to Mrs Ackon, the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service are doing everything possible to promote education.

Mr. Christopher Teye, Central Regional Deputy Manager of Plan Ghana, said his outfit sponsored the programme to empower the rural youth who have been marginalized in the decision making process on issues affecting them.

Nana Oboso III, Chief of Ateitu, said chiefs in the fishing communities have enacted bye-laws to prevent their children from being sent to Yeji and Cote D’Ivoire to work.

He said the chiefs have also banned expensive funerals to enable parents to save money for their children’s education.

Osabarimba Heity III, Chief of Gyaahadze, said the chiefs and elders of the fishing communities in the Municipality have taken bold decisions to review the celebration of festivals and other programs, which could have a negative effect the school children

He cautioned the children to avoid violent movies and other negative programmes on Television that could undermine their studies.

Mr. Emmanuel Martey, Effutu Municipal Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA), said the programme was to expose the youth to help address certain issues that affect their welfare.

Mr. Martey called on the District, Municipal, Metropolitan Assemblies, Parliamentarians and other policy makers to come out with programmes that could guide the youth to become responsible future leaders.**