Kempe, (N/R), April 5, GNA - Traditional rulers and school authorities in East Gonja District, have been asked to ban school children from attending video shows and dances and other social functions. Alhaji Ibrahim Dey Abubakari, Member of Parliament (MP) for Salaga, who made the call, said such initiative would help in stemming immorality among the youth and promote education in the area.

He made the call when he presented equipment and educational materials worth GHc54,300 for distribution to Junior High Schools in the district, in Kpembe at the weekend.

The 20 computers, 2,000 exercise books, text books and mathematical sets were bought with funds from Alhaji Abubakari share of the MP Common Fund and his personal money. Alhaji Abubakari donated 30 footballs and a set of 15 jerseys to the youth, 1,000 cutlasses and 1,000 Wellington boots to farmers in the area, and a photocopier equipment valued GHc 3,000 to the district education office. He called on parents to invest in the education of their children and reminded them that "the greatest asset you can bequeath to your children is education".

Miss Christian Tampie, East Gonja District Director of Education, expressed worry about the poor performance of students in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). She said the Directorate would intensify supervision of schools and ensure that schools organised mock examination to prepare students for the examination.

Miss Tamoie said the Salaga District, which then comprised the newly created Kpandi District, placed 119 out of 138 on last year's BECE league table.