Mr Darfour (right) and Mrs Asamoah engage some students.
By Mudasiru Abdul Yakeen
The Eastern Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Darfour, has asked final year Senior High School (SHS) students to take advantage of the Free SHS policy by studying hard to pass their final exams to enable them pursue higher education.
According to Mr Darfour, this is the only means by which the students, affectionately referred to by some as ‘Akufo-Addo graduates’, can show appreciation for the national sacrifice towards their education.
The Minister added that the students shouldn’t let the Covid-19 scare affect their studies. While admitting that the country finds herself in a dire situation due to the virus, he noted that education is also crucial because Ghana needs more competent human resource in the near future.
Mr Darfour, who is also the Member of Parliament for Nkawkaw, said this during a monitoring visit to some selected SHS and basic schools in the Eastern Region.
Final year students at both the senior high and junior high levels have returned to school to prepare for their exit exams as part of the phased easing of restrictions in the country.
Monitored schools
Schools visited by the Minister include Kwabeng Anglican Senior High Technical School (KASHTS), Ekorso D/A JHS, Sankubenase R/C JHS and Nkurakan D/A JHS, all in Atiwa West District.
The Minister, accompanied by a team from the regional education directorate, also visited Bomso D/A JHS, Asuom SHS and Kade Senior High Technical School, all in Kwaebibirem Municipality.
Mr Darfour said the purpose of the visit was not to spy on teachers or instil fear in them, but to observe whether the students understand the conditions the world finds itself in and how best they are adhering to the safety protocols.
“We are not here to change any measures or protocols because that’s technical and it has already been given as far as the Covid-19 protocols are concerned. I’m pleased with what I have seen; the protocols are being observed very well by students and teachers. The students understand what it is to have the PPEs with them,” he said.
Commendation
While expressing appreciation to the teachers for their efforts, the Eastern Regional Education Director, Margaret Nsiah Asamoah, urged them to keep up the good work they are doing for God and country.
“We, teachers, need to show students the path because some of them just follow the crowd; they don’t know what they want in life. Also, some of them lack affection in the house so it’s up to us to show them love and help them understand the purpose of education,” she advised.
She tasked the students to be law-abiding and stay in school, stressing that this is the right time for them to make things right.
She further urged the students to be very careful about how they interact and engage one another, saying the Covid-19 is real.
