Nkwabeng (B/A) Nov. 30, GNA - Indian hemp smokers have invaded the compound of the Presbyterian Junior High School (JHS) at Nkwabeng in Nkoranza South District in Brong Ahafo, to the utter discomfort of teachers and students.

The syndicate openly smoke the stuff under trees in the school even when classes are in session and all efforts made by the authorities to st= op them have proved futile.

Mr Asante Kudom, Headmaster made this known at a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting at the weekend, aimed at finding the cause of t= he fallen standard of education in the area.

The three JHS at Nkwabeng performed poorly in the 2010 Basic Educati= on Certificate Examination. Nkwabeng Roman Catholic JHS scored 27.5 per cent, Nkwabeng Presbyter= ian JHS 26.09 per cent and Nkwabeng Seventh Day Adventist JHS 24.24 per cent. Mr Kudom noted that the attitude of the wee smokers was luring a num= ber of young children in the community to engage in the practice and called o= n opinion leaders in the area to take pragmatic measures to stop the activi= ty. He said the act was promoting indiscipline among the youth.

Madam Philippa Banson, District Director of Education expressed regret about the situation and urged the community leaders to call on the security agencies to assist in solving the problem.

She urged parents to effectively monitor the movements of their children to free them from negative peer influence. The District Director cautioned the students against pre-marital sex=

and to take their education seriously to become responsible adults. Mr Sammy Asumah, Chairman of Nkwabeng Area Council who presided expressed concern about the number of the youth in the area who had becom= e drug addicts and cautioned the students against the practice.

Mr Asumah, a retired educationist, said leaders in the community wou= ld launch an educational endowment fund to support brilliant but needy students.