Wa, August 5, GNA - The Islamic Senior Secondary School in Wa on Saturday, simultaneously celebrated its 10th anniversary and held its Third Speech and Prize Given-day.

The school, which was established in 1996 as a community day secondary school by the Muslim community in Wa, was absorbed into the public system two years later.

The occasion was used to honour teachers and supporting staff of the school, other individuals and organizations for their dedicated services and contributions towards the growth of the school. The theme for the anniversary was " A Decade of Making Quality Education Accessible to the Youth- The Way Forward".

Mr Ambrose Dery, Upper West Regional Minister in his keynote address reminded the students that success came only through hard work and discipline.

He admonished them to shun the temptations of "modernity", which led to drug abuse, sexual promiscuity and other misconduct. The Minister also assured staff and students of the school that he would do everything possible to solve some of the problems facing the school and urged the community to do their part.

The guest speaker, Alhaji Abdulai Dramani, Director of Network Africa, a non-governmental organization, who spoke on "Education and Development" urged the Muslim community to take formal education seriously as this was the only way they could become useful and participating members of the society.

He, therefore, advised Muslim parents and families to place the acquisition of formal education by their children among their priority plans by living up to their responsibilities towards the education of their wards.

In his report, the headmaster of the school, Mr Sulemana Alhassan said for two successive years, the school scored one hundred per cent in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. He said the school placed twentieth in the Ghana Education Service 2006 academic performance ladder.

Mr Cletus Paaga, the Regional Director of Education observed sadly that, despite the capitation grant, a lot of children were still found loitering about, while schools were in session.

Mr Mac Adams Banda, Wa Municipal Chief Executive, who chaired the function, urged the Muslim community to contribute their quota towards the needs of the school.