School is not a daycare center – Education Director

The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has observed this year's 'My First Day at School' initiative with a call on parents to desist from using schools as a daycare centre for their children.Mrs Bernice Ofori, the Tema Metro Director of Education, who together with Mr. Yohane Amarh Ashitey, the Tema Metro Chief Executive (MCE), said it was unacceptable for parents to only be interested in dropping off their children at school without supporting their education journey.Mrs Ofori stated that, 'Some of the parents see the school as a daycare centre where they dump their children for them to go about their own work.'She reminded parents that they had a responsibility to keep their children in school till completion by ensuring they left home every day to school, providing for their educational needs, and collaborating with teachers on their academic growth.She said on their part, the directorate ensured regular monitoring of their teaching staff to ensure they were imparting the right knowledge to the chil dren at school.The Education Director indicated that the 'My First Day at School' initiative was to welcome newly enrolled kindergarten and primary school pupils to school, capturing their interest in staying in school and seeing it as a friendly place to always go to.Mr Yohane Amarh Ashitey, the MCE, reiterated that the initiative that the government sustained over the years was to provide the pupils with gifts and make it memorable for them to always yearn to be in school.Mr Ashitey urged parents in Tema Manhean to see education as the only means to break poverty in their community, noting that he had reached the top because of the education he received when growing up.He said when children were given the needed education, they will grow into responsible adults who will fulfil the dreams of their parents and society.The MCE, Education Director, and other officials interacted with the pupils and presented them with exercise books, pencils, erasers, and snacks, among others, encouraging them to alwa ys be in school.The schools visited included Naval Base Basic, Manhean Anglican 'C,' Oninku Drive, Community Eight Number Three, and Ramaniya School.Source: Ghana News Agency