Mr Michael Kusi Wiredu, Wenchi Municipal Director of Education, has appealed to traditional authorities to help track down people who steal government properties in schools.
He told GNA in an interview that 25 theft cases had been recorded between 2000 and 2008 in both primary and junior high schools in the municipality.
The thefts were at Tromeso, Awisa, Yooyoano, Amoahkrom and Model "C" primary at Wenchi.
He said about 2,000 text books and other teaching and learning materials provided by the government had been stolen and deplored the attitude of some traditional leaders who failed to assist in investigations into some of the cases in their communities.
Mr Wiredu alleged that a suspect who was arrested at Awisa was released through the influence of some of the community elders and investigations into the case ceased.
"As a result teachers in the town threatened to abandon the classroom and I had to hold talks with them to change their mind and the matter was resolved," Mr Wiredu said.
He said stealing of school material had contributed to the poor academic performance of pupils in the municipality.
Mr Wiredu said distribution of books and other items had become a burden for him and appealed to the government to provide the schools with adequate security.