Kumasi, Aug. 12, GNA - Ms. Christine Churcher, Minister of State for Primary, Secondary and Girl-Child Education, has asked school authorities and teachers to use the school system to help children learn and acquire the necessary self-control that will enable them rule over their emotions and desires.

She said children should be counselled properly to obey school rules and regulations and be taught to respect their teachers, parents and elderly.

These were contained in a speech read on her behalf at the opening of the 23rd General Conference of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNSPS) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi on Tuesday.

Ms Churcher said the nation had reached the crossroads and indeed crisis level as it were, and that efforts to ensure quality education for the overall benefit of Ghanaians stood threatened by the prevalence of indiscipline in very aspect of the nation's life.

Indeed indiscipline has become a monster, eating up the moral fibre of our society and requires that we rise up to the occasion and fight it squarely.

She said, even though the task ahead was formidable, it was, however, surmountable, pointing out that as it was children who matured into adulthood, there was certainly a window of hope.

Ms Churcher said, GNAPS members and for that matter every stakeholder had a responsibility to take advantage of "This window of hope period when children are plaint, and work to mould them into socially desirable shapes".

She expressed government's appreciation to the complementary role In particular, government has to commend you for the excellent manner you have been collaborating with us, in the determination of chargeable fees for the various categories of your schools.

Professor Kwesi Akwansah Andam, Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, challenged the association to play a pivotal role in helping to sustain and propel the educational standards of the nation forward. Mama Adokuwa Asigble IV, President of GNAPS, implored the government to hasten with work on the Private Education Regulation Bill, which she said was long over due.

The Bill, when turned into law, she pointed out, will help to set the appropriate standard for the operation of private schools and strengthen the association's hand in controlling proprietors who will flout the rules and regulations on private schools.