The Manhyia Sub-Metro Educational Directorate in Kumasi, has held its

annual Carol Festival with the reading of the Nine Lessons of Christmas

in Kumasi.

The occasion was also used to honour 40 heatechers and teachers, who received items and certificates for their outstanding performances.

Forty-five selected from both private and public school in the Metro treated the large gathering including school children, parents and educational stakeholders to soul-lifting carol music, Bible reading, and cultural displays, which rekindled the feeling of the approaching Yuletide.

Mr. J. K. Onyinah, Manhyia Sub-Metro Educational Director, urged teachers, school children and parents to reflect on the message and purpose of Christmas and endeavour to promote the ideals of Christ, whose birth was being commemorated at the event.

He advised children to eschew social vices and instead embrace peace and goodwill, which heralded the birth of Christ and to concentrate on their studies.

Mr Onyinah urged teachers to work harder to uphold the image of their profession and asked parents to be alive to their responsibilities to their children.

Mr Hans Nketia Anderson, an education Officer in-charge of the sub-Metro, said the event, which brought together both schools from public and private sectors of education, was and initial step to foster unity among school children in the area.

Mr Thomas Ofori-Donkor, the Atwima-Nwabiagya District Chief Executive, congratulated the award winners and asked them not to be complacent but to work harder to promote education in the area.