Mampong (Ash), Aug. 21,- Teachers will not be granted permission for religious activities at the expense of academic work. Mr Martin Owusu Mensah, Sekyere West District Director of Education, said at Mampong-Ashanti yesterday when he addressed the seventh open day of the University College of Education of Winneba, Mampong campus practice school. He expressed concern about some teachers who seek permission to attend retreats and seminars among others, while school is in session. He suggested that religious bodies which need the services of teachers can organise it in a way that it will not affect the school time table. The District Chief Executive, Mr Ebenezer Akuoko-Frimpong, appealed to teachers to think of how to raise the falling standards of education. The DCE and the district director had earlier commended the headmaster of the school, Mr Fredrick Kingsley Boateng, in separate addresses for raising the academic standard of the school. The headmaster appealed to parents to provide their wards with their basic needs, both in school and at home to whip up their interest in academic work. Prizes were given to students who excelled in the various disciplines and hardworking teachers.