Bekwai (Ash), Aug. 24, GNA - Miss Elizabeth Anti, Circuit Supervisor at the Urban Two Zone at Bekwai, on Wednesday said child labour was on the ascendancy in the Amansie East District of Ashanti, affecting the development of education in the area.

Miss Anti who was speaking at the Fourth Graduation of the 31st December Day Care Centre in the town, said most schools in the Bekwai township were half empty as most children engaged in economic activities to support their parents.

She said thought the problem could be partly attributed to poverty, parents were obliged to invest in their children's education and ensure that they acquired skills and knowledge needed for national development.

Miss Anti called on schools authorities to organise a stakeholders meeting to find solutions to the problem.

Miss Mary Jantuah, Ashanti Regional Director of the 31st December Women's Movement Schools, debunked the erroneous notion by some people that day care centres were detention camps for children and said such facilities rather served as foundation for their development.

She appealed to parents to visit their children's schools regularly to enable them to assess the performances and progress and discuss issues concerning the progress of their children with teachers.