Dunkwa-On-Offin (C/R), Dec. 5, GNA - The Upper Denkyira District scored 64.4 per cent in this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to top all the 13 districts in the Central Region. The Awutu-Effutu-Senya District and Cape Coast Municipal scored 63.1 percent and 62.1 percent to place second and third respectively in the regional ranking.

Mr Richard Anane Adabor, the Upper Denkyira District Chief Executive, told newsmen that the region presented 2,153 candidates out of which 33 absented themselves from the examination. Twelve candidates recorded aggregate six with 168 candidates scoring aggregate seven to 15 whilst those who scored 16 up to 30 amounted to 1,186.

Mr Adabor said four schools namely Ameyaw, Tegyamorso, Agyempoma and Kokudum scored zero percent.

He said the improved performance of the district was as a result of some measures the assembly put in place to address poor educational standards in the district.

These included improvement of educational facilities such as the construction of new classroom blocks, teachers' quarters and libraries. "Such facilities contributed to raise teachers' morale and also enhanced their commitment to the profession". He said school children were banned from visiting video centres, wake keeping and other social activities performed in the night whilst the video operators were asked not to operate during week days. Mr Adabor said the District Education Oversight Committee's decision to demote headmasters and headmistresses in the Dunkwa whose candidates fail to score single digit in the BECE as well as those outside Dunkwa who fail to register from aggregate 10 to 15, brought about competition amongst the schools.

He commended teachers in the district for their high sense of commitment that led to the "Upper Denkyira whipping Cape Coast to the third position". "Our aim is to work hard to maintain the first position and also improve the overall percentage pass from 64.4 to 80", Mr Adabor said.