The two senior high schools in the Bawku Municipality of the Upper East Region have begun receiving students after parents and students refused placement due to the prolonged chieftaincy conflict in the area.
The schools, Bawku Senior High and Bawku Technical Institute, have so far received a total of 731 newly admitted students out of a total placement of 1,098 students.
It could be recalled that the Upper East Regional Coordinator for the Free Senior High Schools, three weeks ago, expressed worry over the refusal of students to accept placement in the schools due to the prolonged chieftaincy conflict in the area.
The situation, he added, was taking a negative toll on the neighbouring schools, as such schools did not have the capacity to receive more students than the agreed number.
But speaking in an exclusive interview with our reporter, Moses Apiah, the Coordinator for the Free Senior High Schools in the Region, Kofi Ayamga Anamboyine noted that so far the schools have admitted 450 and 281 students each out of an expected number of 657 and 441 respectively.
“When I got to the campuses, the students were going about their normal academic activities as teaching and learning had begun without fear. It was meaningful. For instance, in Bawku Senior High School, 450 students were physically present as new admittees and were learning out of the total placement of 657 students.”
“Also, at Bawku Technical Institute, 281 were present as new admittees out of the total placement of 441 students. But we will not forget that some students are still reporting. So, the numbers will definitely increase,” he added.
He noted again that he has begun interacting with relevant authorities in education, both at the regional and national levels, to make the two schools full-boarding for the safety of the students.
“I’m proposing that the two schools should be made boarding schools for the safety of the students. You know, currently, they are running day and boarding, and that is not safe. So, I’m working with authorities to see how we can realise that proposal.”
Mr. Ayamba indicated that during his visit to the two schools, there was a heavy security presence to ensure the safety of the students and staff of the schools.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
