Mr James Enu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West, in collaboration with the Tema West Municipal Assembly (TWMA) and the Ghana Education Service (GES), has donated mathematical sets to the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates towards this year’s examination.
The team also presented free sanitary pads to female students in some basic and senior high schools within the municipality to promote girl child education.
Mr Enu told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the donation was to equip the candidates ahead of the examination, while their visit was also to encourage the candidates to do their best in the BECE.
He noted that, with sponsorship from him, a mock examination was conducted for all the schools within the municipality under strict observation from him and some officials from the GES.
He said that the BECE was very crucial, as it is the first external exam that would set the foundation for their future; therefore, there is a need for them to do well in it.
The MP added that once they are able to build their confidence and do well in their exams, it would propel them into the next stage of their academic and career lives.
“We are doing all these things to support, motivate and encourage them to study hard and also get the necessary support and learning materials needed for their final preparations,” he said.
Mr Enu added that, as the MP for the constituency, he was very optimistic that the area would have good results, as they have provided the necessary support and materials for the candidates to study.
He noted that as part of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) manifesto led by President John Dramani Mahama, to embark on the distribution of sanitary pads, most basic and senior high schools within the municipality have received theirs to be distributed to the female students.
The MP added that this initiative by the president is set to bring some financial relief to parents and the ordinary Ghanaian, adding that the policy intervention would alleviate the burden on parents and improve the promotion of female education in the country.
He explained that some in-school teenage girls become distressed during their menses as their parents could not afford to purchase sanitary pads for them, which affects their academics.
The MP also bemoaned the rise in indiscipline among students in the schools, indicating that it was alarming and needed a national concerted and comprehensive plan to deal with such acts, noting that it was important to engage the youth in a skill training or work to prevent idleness at home and the temptation to engage in indiscipline acts.
Mr Ludwig Teye Totimeh, the Tema West Municipal Chief Executive, who accompanied the team, noted that the assembly was interested in the growth of the children, as they are the hearts of the municipality, and therefore, supporting them in their preparations towards the exams.
He said his outfit wished the candidates the best in their studies, reiterating that the BECE was a good steppingstone into their future.
He also encouraged them to put in their best, knowing that the assembly was behind them not only with the necessary materials but also in prayers and spirit so that they came out with flying colours.