Accra, Feb. 18, GNA- The Member of Parliament (MP) for East Ayawaso, Dr. Mustapha Ahmed has appealed to chiefs, community leaders and other interest groups to pay attention to the education of children in the constituency.

He said it had been observed that most Muslim pupils tended to skip school on Fridays with the excuse of attending Friday prayers. In a statement released to the Press in Accra on Wednesday, Dr. Mustapha said parents were not taking "keen interest in the welfare of our pupils," adding that this was because "we do not visit the school that our wards attend on periodic basis to asses their performance, attendance and behaviour at school."

He said most of the girls were not attending school on Wednesdays with the excuse of assisting their parents at the market. "We should encourage our pupils to go to school on Wednesday and Fridays. We should also make sure that our children study after returning from school every day," the MP added.

Dr Mustapha said he was planning to institute an award scheme for pupils who have excellent attendance record, those with good behaviour and excel academically.