As the new academic year begins for Senior High Schools, the responsibility falls on parents or guardians to acquire essential academic materials for their wards entering the level for the first time.

Procuring these items, as required by various second-cycle institutions, has always been a challenging task for parents, especially those facing financial difficulties. Many rely on the support of benevolent individuals and organisations to assist them in purchasing these necessary items.

In the Sekyere Kumawu District of the Ashanti Region, the situation mirrors that of other places across the country.

Responding to this financial challenge, Ernest Yaw Anim, the Member of Parliament for Kumawu Constituency, has taken swift action to alleviate the burden on parents.

The legislator has presented trunks, chop boxes, cash, and exercise books to some outstanding students who graduated from public Junior High Schools in the Constituency this year and gained admission to various Senior High Schools in the country.

In collaboration with the Sekyere Kumawu District GES, the items were handed over to deserving students from forty-five (45) public basic schools on Saturday, 9th December 2023, at two events in Kumawu (Party office) and Oyoko (his Administrative office).

This fulfilment follows his pledge to provide these essentials freely to high-achieving candidates before the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

He noted, "During the 2023 BECE, I promised to reward high-achieving pupils as a form of encouragement for them to learn and set an example for younger ones. This is a modest gesture considering the items listed in the prospectus. While we laud the efforts made by parents, it is worth noting that not all of them can afford these items, especially with Christmas fast approaching."

"I also promised that the overall best 2023 BECE candidate will be given a laptop, with an emphasis on public schools. Currently, the laptop is ready, and I am awaiting the candidate’s name from the District’s Education Service,” Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim reiterated.

Nana Agyemang Prempeh, the New Patriotic Party's Constituency Chairman, mentioned that "this is just the beginning of the many good things to come. I encourage everyone who received these items to prioritize their studies while we hope for this support to continue each year."

Acknowledging the benefits of Free SHS, Samuel Addai Agyekum, the DCE for Sekyere Kumawu District Assembly, stated that "what MP has done is an act of the gospel – this has enabled someone to pursue education who might have otherwise been hindered."

The distribution of these items by the Member of Parliament for Kumawu Constituency signifies his commitment to championing education at all levels in the jurisdiction.