Tema, July 23, GNA -- The Tema Municipal Chief Executive, Mr David Quaye Annang, has attributed the recent increase in indiscipline and intolerance amongst students and the youth to modernization and the weakening of the basic structures including the family, to nurture them.

At the 6th Second Cycle Institutions Festival of Arts organized in Tema, the MCE called for the need for all to make the issue their concern and reverse its negative impact on the country. It was under the theme, 'Indiscipline and Intolerance; a challenge to our culture' and had six Districts including Accra Metropolitan, Dangme East and West, Ga East and West as well as Tema Municipality participating.

Mr Annang mentioned vandalism as a serious form of indiscipline perpetrated by students whereas intolerance results in the destruction of school property, including teaching and learning materials. Cheating in examinations by students, he noted was a result of laziness, poor preparation and regretted the behaviour of students who molest and kill their tutors for insisting on their rights.

Degeneration of morals, he added has been linked to lack of attention from the various agents of change being parents, teachers, guardians and law makers and called for a closer collaboration to ensure that the desired results is achieved.

He however, stressed the need for parents to give much attention to their children, stressing the need to be responsive to the challenges of today that might affect future generations.

To the youth the MCE advised against succumbing to peer pressure and indulge in dangerous anti-social vices like wee smoking, drunkenness and other criminal activities.

In a goodwill message, an eminent Artist, Professor Ablade Glover, commended the Ministry of Education for their courage and effort to introduce African culture in the school. He said in the olden days they did not have that opportunity and were forced to study that of the colonial masters, which, he depicted as a form of slavery.

Nii Adjei Krakue II, Tema Mantse, who chaired the function advised students who are intellectually good to take the study of vocations, technical and culture seriously to enable them to acquire a profession. He noted that, gone were the days when only the intellectuals went through academic education as lot them were equally making a living through such studies.

Accra Metropolitan District emerged winners in coral and dance, with 81 percent and 76 percent respectively while the first position in the exhibition went to Tema Municipality with 83 percent. Ga East District won the sight-singing segment, which involves the answering of the technicalities of music. 23 July 06