Available statistics indicate that out of 2,270 students presented for the 2015 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the West Mamprusi District of the Northern Region, only 202 passed the examination, representing just 8%.

This means that over 2,070 out of 2,270 students failed the exams and those who got the pass marks, according to The Chronicle information, were between aggregate 20 and 30.

This extremely uninspiring performance by the schools in the district has been attributed to teenage pregnancies among BECE candidates, indiscipline among students and irresponsible parenting.

The District, according to the statistics, has in the last five years recorded an average of 30 pregnancies among BECE candidates, and this has stirred up the emotions of the Northern Regional Minister, Abdallah Abubakari to fault parents and teachers for their perceived irresponsible behaviour.

Addressing a large gathering of Muslims from the five Constituencies in the Mamprugu Traditional Area at the 4th Edition of the Mamprugu Muslims’ Annual get-together (Home Coming) held at Walewale the Northern Regional Minister, Abdallah Abubakari described as very embarrassing for the district to be placed at the bottom of the BECE ladder.

The West Mamprusi District, according to the statistics, recorded 59% in 2011, 54% in 2012, dropped to 48% in 2013, dropped further to 28% in 2014 before hitting the lowest of 08% in 2015. He accused parents in the area for not prioritizing their wards’ education or monitoring them when they go out at night.

According to the Minister, majority of the parents preferred to invest in animals or marry more wives or invest in other needless ventures, instead of investing in their children’s education. He underscored the need for urgent stakeholders’ consultations to find a lasting solution to the problem.

The Regional Minister pledged his personal commitment to ensure that the standard of education in the district got back on track.

The Circuit Supervisor for West Mamprusi District, Mohammed Abdallah, who dropped the statistics, said that majority of the pregnant girls and those who failed the examination were Muslims and charged Muslim parents to be worried about the situation.

Meanwhile, the 4th Anniversary of the Mamprugu annual get-together brought together all sons and daughters of Mamprugu living within and outside Ghana to discuss pertinent issues relating to peace, security, unity, education and development of the area.

The get-together was under the theme: “Religious and Political Tolerance- Essential Tool for Socio-Economic Development”.

There were several inspiring and motivational speakers, including Sheikh Alhaji Al-hassan Konkunni from Nigeria, Sheikh Mohammed Abass Ajaimi from Azhar University in Egypt, Mallam Baaba of Ura Radio, Alhaji Dr. Shamweel Sumani Languinsi and Sheikh Ali Gariba Ciessey from Kumasi and Sheikh Mohammed Abdallah of Walewale. Also present was the West Mamprusi District Chief Executive, David Wuni.

The General Secretary of the Concerned Muslim Youth Association of Mamprugu, Sulemana Isham, unveiled plans by the Association to establish an Islamic College of Education to train Islamic Instructors for the various schools. He said that the Association had already secured a large piece of land for the project and was now sourcing for funding.