Regional News of Monday, 12 November 2007

Source: GNA

DCE threatens to impose curfew

Bebianeha (B/A), Nov. 12, GNA- A dusk to dawn curfew might be imposed on students of basic schools in the Dorman District whose results in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) continued to fall below average.

Squadron leader Ben Anane Asamoah (rtd), District Chief Executive (DCE), who issued the caution, said it was necessary to stop school children from attending all-night Church services, video shows, dance and other entertainment spots to help improve academic standards in the area.

Squadron Leader Asamoah gave the warning at Bebianeha in the District, when he interacted with the chiefs and people on the over-all performance of the district's in last year's BECE.

It formed part of the DCE's tour of Agyemankrom, Antwirifo, Suromani, Kofiasua, Kofi-Badukrom and Bebianeha in the District. Squadron Leader Asamoah expressed regret about the apparent inaction by teachers and parents over the abysmal performance of school children in those communities some of whom he said registered zero computer selection of junior high school graduates into senior high schools.

He cited that Bebianeha for instance ranked 74th among the district's 78 junior high schools, with 24 as the best pupil's aggregate, in the 2007 BECE.

Squadron Leader Asamoah said, "If performance among basic schools continue like this, the Assembly will have no other option than to introduce the drastic measures."

Squadron Leader Asamoah reminded parents, teachers and other stakeholders that the low performance of the schools dragged the good name of the district in the mud and the Assembly would not relent in adopting the necessary measures "to put the stakeholders on their toes." Nana Nkesia Nketaa, Queenmother of Bebianeha, expressed appreciation for the DCE's concern and pledged that the people would support the enforcement bye-laws to improve the standards of education in the area.

She noted that the abysmal performance of the Junior High School in Bebianeha in the 2007 BECE had become a major debate among teachers, parents and school children in the area. Nana Nketaa said the community would ensure discipline among school children towards their development.