As part of conscious efforts to increase literacy level and improve academic performance in the Offinso North District, the Member of Parliament, Dr Fred Kyei Asamoah, has stepped into the shoes of parents to absorb the cost of extra-class studies for candidates preparing for the upcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

‎The MP officially carried out the gesture after visiting various study centers within the district, making funds available to cover over Gh¢35,000.00 cost for 1,555 candidates in the district and to ascertain the atmosphere and enthusiasm among students and teachers as well as other support needed to cushion the learners.

‎The visit discovered a significant amount of low attendance largely due to financial constraints faced by students involved. To this end the MP admonished parents and students to consider the exercise as a matter of necessity, take advantage of the support and ensure full participation.

‎Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah further encouraged candidates to study hard, pledging his commitment to rewarding academic excellence with cash support to lessen their financial burden as they navigate to SHS. In addition to the already ¢50.00 stipend and mathematical sets for all candidates as done in the previous years, Gh¢3,000 reward would be offered to candidates who score an aggregate of 9 and below in the 2026 exams according the to MP.

‎"I am ready to give out ¢3,000.00 each to every student who makes a single grade that's 9 and below in this year's exams. So if about 10 of you get aggregate 9 and below, I would be paying ¢30,000.00 for 10 students to buy your personal belongings for admission into Senior High School", the MP declared amid ecstatic chants from the students.

‎BECE results in the Offinso North District has been very low over the years with the 2025 edition recording yet another disappointing outcome where the overall best performing candidate got aggregate 13 while over 90% percent scoring above  25 to 40.

‎In view of the worrying trend, teachers in the district have devised a more proactive measure of vigorous preparatory activities with candidates including extra vacation classes with a fee of ¢20.00 per each candidate. This poses extra financial burden on most of the candidates from less privileged homes leading them to refrain from participating.

‎It is against this background that the MP, a strong advocate for improved standard in literacy rate in the district chose to add to numerous initiatives being executed to improve education standards in the area.

‎Some of the initiatives undertaken by the former CTVET boss includes the recently launched "Anidasoɔ Students Assistantship Program" which seeks to offer financial support for 100 students annually at the tertiary level, ¢2,000 Independence Day monetary reward for the 10 best performing WASSCE candidates, School infrastructure improvements amongst others.