Sandema (U/E), Dec. 8, GNA - The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mahami Salifu has blamed school authorities for not doing enough to curb recent acts of indiscipline among students.

He said: "There are acts of indiscipline committed by students daily, which school authorities gloss over until they translate into disruptive and destructive proportions".

Speaking at the fifth annual speech and prize-giving day of Sandema Secondary/Technical School at Sandema, Mr Salifu told school authorities not to fail in their duty of instilling discipline in students.

The Regional Minister described as appropriate the theme chosen for the occasion: "Discipline: An Effective Tool To Achieve Quality Education, Human Progress and National Development", and commended the school for being the most peaceful one in the area.

He said the emphasis on quality education for national development would require a serious commitment to put discipline in all spheres of life among students, teachers and parents.

Mr Salifu, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders in education to encourage the use of dialogue in settling disputes and set exemplary behaviours for the youth to emulate them.

The Regional Minister cautioned students against risky sexual behaviours that might predispose them to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) including HIV/AIDS.

He commended the Board of Governors and staff of the School for their commitment to the development of education and gave the assurance that the Government would support the development of the School.

The Headmaster of the School, Mr Peter Paul Akanko announced that during the 2002/2003 academic-year the school scored 81 per cent pass in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE).

He appealed to the Government; citizens of the area and non-governmental organisations to assist them complete the girls' dormitory and rehabilitate the boys' dormitory, whose roof was ripped-off two years ago during a rainstorm.

Prizes were awarded to deserving students in the various subject areas as well as to hardworking members of staff.