Half-Assini (W/R), Aug 27, GNA- The youth of the Sacred Action Church at Half-Assini on Tuesday launched a 100-million-cedis Education Development Fund to check the low standard of education in the Jomoro District.

Under the fund dilapidated classroom blocks would be rehabilitated and furniture and other education materials provided to enhance teaching and learning.

Mr Lee Ocran, a former Deputy Minister of Environment who launched the fund, attributed the low level of education to video and film shows that are patronised by school children.

This has also resulted in teenage pregnancies and other vices that adversely affect the education of children.

Mr Ocran called on parents and teachers not to shirk their responsibilities to train the youth to become useful citizens. Mr Afre Kum, the District Director of Health, said 456 girls in schools in the district were pregnant in 2002 and "there are indications that the figure will go up this year."

He called on religious organisations to step up their efforts to check immoral acts especially among the youth. Fifty-Six million cedis was realised at the function.