Tema, Dec. 15, GNA - Madam Victoria Kakabu, Head teacher of the Aggrey Road Number Two Primary School at Tema, on Tuesday urged parents and guardians to endeavour to provide their wards with their basic school materials to enhance their learning.

She said the lack of pencils, pens, school uniforms and exercise books as well as non payment of school fees tended to demoralise the children and adversely affect their learning, adding that such children become absent minded in class and unable to socialise with others. The Head teacher made the call when the school held a Christmas party for the children during which the "Tema Community Two Benevolent Society", a non-governmental organisation (NGO) presented dresses to 83 needy but brilliant girls of the school.

She said most of the children at the school were either house helps or orphans living with their grandparents or mistresses and so found it difficult to pay their fees of 45,000 cedis a term let alone providing their other needs.

"We have had occasions where individual teachers including myself, the churches and NGOs pay the fees, buy exercise books, pencils and pens for the needy children", Madam Kakabu stated.

Turning to the Christmas holidays, the Head teacher urged parents to monitor their children so that they were not lured into social vices, especially going to the beaches, which normally claimed lives during such festivities.

Mr Justice Awortwe Edwards, a businessman and defeated parliamentary candidate of the Tema West Constituency who is the welfare officer of the Benevolent Society said members, moved by the plight of the needy children, made the donation as their Christmas gifts. He said the society formed three years ago donated items and paid fees of needy children as well as donate blood to save lives as part of its social responsibilities.