Asuofua (Ash), Aug 6, GNA- The Atwima-Nwabiagya District Education Directorate with support from the Department For International Development (DFID), has intensified its sentisisation on the New Education Reform, which takes off in September this year, for 20 selected schools in the district..

The schools were selected from Afari, Akrofrom, Nerebehi, Mim, Akropong, Esaase, Darbaa, Tabere, Gyankobaa, Seidi, Toase, Nkorang, Asuofua, Asamang, Nkatia, Achiase, Worapong, Adagya, Boahenkwaa and Ataase communities.

In one of such educational forums at Asuofua last Friday, the participants called for the re-introduction of corporal punishment in basic schools to maintain discipline and moral values. The participants, who came from the district included teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, assembly members, members of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), School Management Committees (SMCs), Unit Committee members and other opinion leaders. Mr. J.K. Boakye, a retired police officer and member of Asuofua SMC, expressed concern about the alarming rate of sexual promiscuity and drug addiction among pupils in the area. He advised parents to use decent language at home and to ensure that they and their children lead moral lives. Mr Boakye advocated a common national dialect to be used as a medium of instruction in basic schools to accelerate the country's socio-economic development.

Mr Yaw Gyamfi, also a member of the SMC, advised children to study at home instead of spending their time at video and gambling centres and entertainment spots.

Mr. Richard Owusu-Agyemang, the Atwima-Nwabiagya District Community Participation Co-ordinator, advised the people against anonymous letter writing, which he said demoralized hard working persons. He also appealed to traditional rulers in the area to properly demarcate school lands to protect them from encroachment. Mr E.K. Boahen, Vice-Chairman of the Asuofua PTA, said the problem of drug addiction among children could only be eradicated if the source of supply of the drugs was blocked.