Minister Attends KG1

THERE WERE never to be forgotten scenes when the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh aka ‘Napo’, officially welcomed some new kindergarten pupils into school yesterday.

The Education Minister was seen interacting freely with the excited pupils, who were in school for the first time.

Napo was also spotted interacting with the pupils and engaging them in all manner of games for pre-school kids as though he had some professional training in child care or preschool teaching.

To the surprise of the Minister and his entourage, most of the children, who were about four years old, were able to answer questions posed to them.

This was when the minister had visited some selected schools in the Kumasi Metropolis, as part of the annual ‘My First Day At School’ programme.

Among the schools that the Minister visited were Afia Kobi, Odumase Extension MA Basic, KO Methodist, Konadu Yiadom, New Tafo/Dichemso MA and others.

Napo, who was beaming with smiles, also presented some nice looking learning aids, which were decorated with the Ghana flag colours, to the over-excited pupils.

In his remarks, the Education Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, said education is the key success in life.

He therefore admonished parents and guardians to send their wards to school when they attain four years so that they would be able properly educated.

According to him, sending children to school at an advanced age usually impacts negatively on the children so parents and guardians should take note.

Napo said the government, in particular the Education Ministry, was doing its best to promote quality education in the country to help in Ghana’s transformation.

Anne-Claire Dufay, the UNICEF Representative in Ghana, said she was highly impressed about government’s commitment to promote education in the country.

She said promoting education in the country would naturally lead to enhancing the lives of the children, stressing the need for government to sustain its efforts.

Mary Owusu Achiaw, the Ashanti Regional Education Director, warned teachers to refrain from putting fear in pupils, especially the fresh kindergarten pupils.