Begoro (Eastern Region), 16th June 99 ?

Eight pregnant pupils of the Begoro Presbyterian "A" and "B" Junior Secondary School (JSS) have been asked to withdraw from the school.

One of the teenagers is in JSS one, three in JSS two and four in JSS three.

Two boys in their third year at Begoro Presbyterian "B" JSS accused of being responsible for the pregnancy of all the eight girls, have also been dismissed from the school.

Mr D. M. Ankomah, District Director of Education, commenting on the incident, told the GNA that those in their final year who had been registered by their schools for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) "will be allowed to take their examinations in August this year".

He said the girls would be allowed to continue with their education after delivery.

Mr Ankomah blamed parents for not providing the necessary guidance and monitoring of activities of their daughters.

He explained that since the pupils were not in the boarding house, it would be difficult for their teachers to monitor their activities after school.

Mr Collins Owusu-Appiah, Fanteakwa district chief executive, said the district assembly would strictly enforce its by-laws which bar school children from wake-keeping, drinking clubs and entertainment centres in the Begoro township.