President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the Minister for Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh to engage the Ghana Education Service (GES) to reconsider its decision to ban 14 students from writing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
GES had dismissed and barred the 14 students from writing their remaining papers over their involvement in acts of indiscipline and vandalism during the WASSCE.
In a statement issued by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin, President Akufo-Addo noted that their dismissal alone will serve as enough punishment and deterrent.
He has therefore urged that the students will be allowed by the GES to take their final examinations as scheduled.
“Even though the acts of indiscipline undertaken by these students are intolerable, acts which have led to their subsequent dismissal from school, President Akufo Addo is of the firm view that dismissal alone is enough punishment, and will serve as enough deterrent against future acts of indiscipline,” the statement reiterated.
Dismissed students
GES dismissed the 14 final-year SHS students and barred them from participating further in the ongoing WASSCE.
The affected students are Nicholas Cobbinah, Kardimell Suapim and John Kwofie of Sekondi College in the Western region.
Others are Simon Ameyibor (Senior Prefect), Tweneboah, Thomas Anokye and Juliet Amoakowaa all of Tweneboah Koduah SHS; and Emmanuel Ashiangmor, Peter Sissi, Ameka Nyamiitse, Shadrack Daitey and Alfred Attiso of Battor SHS.
The rest are Solomon Brako, Albert Agyekum and Robert Inkoom of Juaben SHS.
Three teachers have also been interdicted and barred from invigilating further in the examination.
The dismissal is supposed to serve as a deterrent and to ensure life and property are protected in the various secondary schools.
The action followed reports of indiscipline acts including rioting and destruction of property at a number of school as fallout from the writing of the Integrated Science Examination Paper on Monday 3rd August 2020.
Some of the riotous students who are part of the free SHS education policy instituted by the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, also insulted President Nana Akufo-Addo after they apparently failed to answer questions in the first paper.
Consequently, the GES has condemned the acts and deplored the conduct of the students involved and warned those affected by the disciplinary action to vacate the various school compounds immediately.
The Service urged the various schools to report all acts of vandalism and other criminal acts to the security agencies for further investigation and follow-up actions.
Meanwhile, the Examination Centre at Bright Academy, a private school at Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region has been derecognized and moved to Ofori Panin SHS.
Students of Bright Academy are therefore to continue with their examination on the compound of Ofori Panin SHS and have been cautioned their activities are to conform to rules and regulations of the school.
“Any acts of indiscipline will not be countenanced. These punishments are without prejudice to sanctions that may be taken by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).”
“These measures are necessary to ensure that students appreciate the significance of good conduct and discipline in their actions,” a release from the GES said.
