Bongo (U/E), Oct 8, GNA - Mr Mark Woyongo, the Upper East Regional Minister, has cautioned senior high School students in the region against rioting that usually led to destruction of property. He said students who would destroy school property would pay for those damages and expressed regret that it was sad these students failed to realize that they were in a poor region and have to protect property.

Mr Woyongo was speaking at a ceremony in Bongo where the UK branch of the Bolgatanga, Nangodi, Tongo and Bongo (BONABOTO) Union presented 130 computers and their accessories for distribution to three SHS and three Resource Centres in the region. Mr Woyongo described the donation of the computers as timely since it came at a time the government was embarking on an ICT drive in schools. He said he had directed that all new school buildings be connected to the national grid in order to facilitate the teaching and learning of ICT.

The Upper East Regional Chairman of BONABOTO, Mr Didacus Afegera, said the association would not compromise with any student who would engage in acts of indiscipline and advised the students to channel their energies to their books. Mr Nyeya Yin, a member of the UK branch of BONABOTO who presented the items, appealed to the students to remain in the country after school.

The computers are to be distributed to Zuarungu, Kongo and Bongo Senior High Schools and three resource centres in the area. The Bongo District Director of Education, Mr Francis Agyere, appealed to the government to pay more attention to ICT at the basic school level.

Mr Agyere said ICT could not be taught in the Senior High Schools effectively if the basic level which was its foundation was not given ICT education. He appealed to stakeholders in the education sector to consider providing computers for the Primary and Junior High Schools in the region in order to boost the interest of children in the subject.