Takoradi, July 18, GNA- The Deputy Western Regional Director of Education, Reverend Veronica Essuman-Nelson said children of school going age must be motivated to go and stay in school. This would fulfill the mandate of the government of making primary education easily accessible for all.

Rev. Essuman-Nelson was speaking at the speech and prize giving day of the Bishop Essuah School complex at Takoradi on Thursday. She said the role of the teacher in achieving these targets was enormous and every teacher must play their expected roles to ensure the success of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) nationwide. She appealed to teachers to re-dedicate themselves to the task ahead, adopt more teacher friendly techniques, to make their class lively and attractive to the child. Rev. Essuman-Nelson urged the pupils to be submissive, work extra hard and broaden their knowledge for the future.

The Most Rev. John M. Darko, Catholic Bishop of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese said teachers and parents must work closely to ensure the total development of the child. He said such meetings and interactions should be regular and not only during Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings. Bishop Darko said parents must show the necessary respect to teachers adding that teachers must also serve as role models for their children. "Our children must be nurtured well and this would discourage them from armed robbery, drugs, streetism and prostitution among others" he added. Nana Lewis, Headmaster of the school said the school was established in 1940 and had trained several children within the metropolis and beyond. He said the school was among the top schools in the metropolis and has a student population of almost 1000 from the pre-school up to the junior high.

Master Amrose Dzonu, School Prefect appealed to parents to provide their wards with their learning requirements to make them comfortable in school. He said the formation of civic clubs, cadet corps among others had fostered discipline among the students. Mr. Dzonu however noted that the lack of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) facilities in the school needed urgent attention. Nine teachers were presented with honours for their hard work and dedication to duty.