Agona Duakwa (C/R), Jan 20, GNA - The Acting Central Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze, has expressed concern about the presence of school children at funerals and video shows late in the night when they should be studying.

These school children gather at funerals grounds and dance from afternoon to late in the evening losing their precious time that should use to learn, which has negative effects leading to the falling standard of education in the region, he said.

Mr Edumadze made the comments at the commissioning of a six-classroom block for the Roman Catholic Primary School at Agona Duakwa.

Professor Kwesi Yankah, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ghana who is a citizen of the town, initiated the project. He said it was sad to note that some parents were aware of the problem, which was affecting the performances of the children in school but were not bothered.

Mr Edumadze stated that many school children had engaged in pre-marital sex to their detriment, adding that, they could not achieve the highest height in education with the attitude. He cautioned teachers against absenteeism, alcoholism and trading during school hours, which they should use to promote the quality of education.

The Regional Minister said education was a shared responsibility between the government, parents and teachers and stressed the need for collaboration to enhance the quality of education.

He said many parents had shirked their responsibility towards their children who played truancy, which he attributed to broken homes. Mr John Kwesi Agyabeng, Acting District Chief Executive for Agona and MP for Agona East, urged citizens of the area to use advocacy and their influence to support the efforts of District Assembly.

Education is the main priority of the Assembly, which explain why the assembly had absorbed the payment of sports and culture fees for pupils in all public schools to lessen the economic burden of parents, he stated.

The Assembly subscribe to cost sharing in the education, Mr Agyabeng said, adding that, "this modest gesture of the Assembly should not make parents to renege on their fundamental responsibility of providing education for their children".