Bekwai (Ash), Sept 3, GNA - Nana Karikari Appau, Omanhene of Asante-Bekwai Traditional Area, has said lack of consistency in the country's education policy was to blame for the decline in academic performance by students.

He said it was time politicians stopped playing what he saw as "musical chairs game" with education. Nana Appau said this in an address read for him by a delegation he sent to a month-long tuition-free classes held for Junior and Senior High School students at the Osei Tutu II International School in Bekwai. More than 700 students benefited from the vacation classes organized by the Asante-Bekwai Students Union. The chief commended the union for its vision and contribution to the development of education in the area and pledged his support for them. Nana Appau advised parents to desist from putting their money into the buying of fashionable clothing and other luxuries and rather invest in the education of their children. Education, he said, was the only enduring legacy they could bequeath them.

Nana Opoku Ababio, Adontenhene of Bekwai, expressed concern about the high school dropouts in the area and said it was as a result of broken homes. Mr Emmanuel Asare, President of the union, said the classes, which have become an annual affair, was aimed at complementing the effort of teachers and also to engage the youth meaningfully during the holidays. By so doing, they would not wander about and create problems for themselves and their parents. He appealed to the Bekwai Municipal Assembly and other benevolent organizations to support them with teaching and learning materials.