The National Youth Authority (NYA) in the Upper West Regional, organised vocational classes for second cycle schools in Wa, to keep them busy during the holidays and instill discipline in them.

The students were taught Home Economics, History, English Language, Core and Elective Mathematics, Integrated Science and Religious Studies among other subjects during the four weeks vocational classes.

The Ghana Youth Authority organised the classes for the 200 form two and form three students.

Addressing the students, Mr Sulemana Mumuni, Regional Director of the NYA, said the Secretariat was mandated by the National Redemption Council Decree Act 241 of 1974, to deal with students when they are out of school.

He advised students to study to know their subjects and avoid the practice of studying only to pass their examinations.

Mr Mumuni explained that, the practice had made many scholars to contribute insignificantly to society’s development.

He said the over reliance on paper qualification, rather than the practical aspect of doing things, had negatively impacted on Ghana’s development.

“The mere belief that only holders of degrees and masters hold knowledge and wisdom, and therefore decisions on Ghana’s development process should be left to them alone is an obstacle to the country’s development efforts.

“I want to see a Ghana where there would be a paradigm shift to give more attention to those with the ability to do things on their own rather than those with paper qualification.

“This is the only way Ghana’s development can take off properly,” he said.

Mr Mumuni urged the students to study hard and come out successfully to help in Ghana’s development, saying, the best time for them to make good grades is when they are in school.

Mr Alidu Bayana National President of the Upper West Students Union reminded the students that they are being trained to come out and help change the region’s deplorable conditions and to improve on the living standards of the people.

He cautioned them to endeavour to take good care of themselves and avoid criminal and other anti-social activities.

Mr Bayana urged them to practice the habit of reading to acquire more knowledge, saying: “Every leader is a reader.”

Some of the volunteer teachers, who shared their experiences and challenges with the students, advised them to balance their educational targets with social targets.

Madam Zakaria Hismat, the only female volunteer teacher among the teachers, encouraged her counterparts’ to study hard because women contributions towards Ghana’s development are much needed now than before.

She said if Ghana’s development is to advance, then much attention should be paid to women education and empowerment.

Miss Abubakari Ati, a form two student said she would have forgotten most of the subjects taught in school, but for the classes, and urged her colleagues at home to also make good use of such opportunities.