Regional News of Wednesday, 23 June 2004

Source: GNA

Waywardness of students blamed on poor parenting

Sepaase (Ash), June 23, GNA- Nana Kwadwo Oppong III, chief of Sepaase in the Ashanti Region, said on Tuesday, that, the increasing spate of indiscipline and lawlessness among students was a serious set back to Government's commitment to provide quality education. He blamed the wayward behaviour on ineffective parenting and lack of supervision, and called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to address the issue.

Nana Oppong was speaking at an educational forum at Sepaase near Abukwa in the Atwima District.

The forum, organised by the Atwima District Education Directorate, in collaboration the Department for International Development (DFID), was aimed at increasing access to education through the creation of community awareness on the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders. Nana Oppong advised parents to pay attention to the character formation of their children and discipline those that go wayward.

Madam Beatrice Akoma, a teacher at Sepaase Catholic Primary School suggested the need to re-enforce guidance and counselling in the schools, to enable the pupils to fully realise their potentials for a better future.

The forum condemned the attitude of some pupils who engage in anti-social activities such as sexual promiscuity and drug abuse.