Kumasi, Sept. 17, GNA - Standard competitive promotion examination introduced by Kumasi Metropolitan Education Directorate 10 years ago, for primary six pupils has not only improved academic performance but also adequately prepared them to meet academic challenges in the Junior High Schools (JHS). Mr Joseph Kwabena Onyinah, Ashanti Regional Director of Education and Acting Kumasi Metropolitan Director of Education announced this when he accompanied Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive to visit some selected basic schools on "My First Day at School" in the metropolis on Tuesday. The team visited cluster of schools at Asawasi, Oforikrom and Weweso. Madam Appiagyei presented 5,900 mathematical sets, school bags, cups and confectionery to the pupils.

She said education was the only means to accelerate development and urged the pupils to take advantage of the government's fee-free education programme to study hard. She said the next New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government would extend the fee-free education programme to Senior High School (SHS) and the School Feeding Programme, extended to all basic schools next year. Madam Appiagyei said, government was determined to ensure all children were enrolled in schools to make them knowledgeable and assets to the nation. Miss Abigail Torso, a class one pupil of Asawase cluster of schools, on behalf of her colleagues, expressed appreciation to the team for interacting with them.