Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Abraham Odoom says the central focus of the new education reform is to use Information Communication Technology (ICT) to transform the economy into a knowledge-based system. Mr Odoom was speaking at the 17th anniversary and prize giving-day of Jukwa Senior High School at Jukwa on Saturday. He said the government had come to the realization that ICT could serve as a tool to promote the various sectors for development, including the educational system. The deputy Minister said this was because technology had the potential for knowledge dissemination, knowledge acquisition, effective learning and development. He advised the students to use the knowledge of ICT positively to drive socio-economic development of the nation instead of using it in negative acts such as fraud. Mr Odoom said the Twifo-Heman-Lower Denkyira District Assembly was first to set up an internet café and noted that the facility had opened up the district to benefit of all, especially oil palm producers. He said the success of any venture hinged on discipline and asked the students to be obedient to teachers, parents and elders in the society. In her annual report, the Headmistress, Ms Regina Ammam, said the school’s academic performance had improved since 1998. She said of 184 candidates presented for the West African School Certificate Examination, only one could not make it, adding that 98 of the students passed in at least six subjects, representing 95 percent. Ms Ammam said the school’s plan to re-introduce Home Economics as part of its curriculum was being hampered by lack of classrooms and a science laboratory, and appealed to the government and philanthropists to come to their aid. She commended past members of the Parent-Teacher Association for providing an assembly hall and other facilities for the school. Mr Samuel Agyeibie-Kessie, the District Chief Executive, said the District Assembly in collaboration with World Vision, Ghana and the Twifo Praso Area Development Council had constructed a hostel for the school at the cost of GH¢207,000. He said the GETFund was also constructing a boys’ dormitory estimated at GH¢320,000 for the school. In 2006, the Assembly, in partnership with the Central Region Community Water and Sanitation Agency constructed a six-seater KVIP for the school, he said. Source: GNA