The escalation of school riots at the second cycle level has become a matter of great concern for parents, education managers, school administrators and security services. The Upper East Region has been in the spotlight since 2014 due to the increasing trend of school riots in the area.
A recent desktop study conducted by the Upper East Regional Peace Council since 2014 has revealed that almost every public second cycle school in the region has reported at least one riot.
Between 2020 and 2023, riots were reported in Sandema Senior High School (SANSEC), St Bernadette Technical Institute in Navrongo, Fumbisi Agricultural SHS, Kongo Senior High School in the Nabdam District, Bawku Technical Institute, Bolgatanga Technical Institute and Zebilla Senior High Technical. During this period, some of these schools have reported more than two riots.
These riots have resulted in the destruction of school and personal property, the loss of study time, and negative publicity for the schools involved and the region as a whole.
In 2019, following the closure of three Senior High Schools as a result of student riots and clashes, the then regional minister, Madam Tangoba Abayage, called for a crisis meeting with heads of schools to deliberate on measures to curb the phenomenon. Her successor, Stephen Yakubu, inherited the problem and expressed concern about the negative image that such riots were giving to the region.
The prevalence of school riots is a worrying trend that needs urgent attention to ensure the safety and well-being of students and the wider community, the Upper East Regional Peace Council has said.
In a recent interview with Mark Smith, the Upper East Regional Executive Secretary for the Peace Council said that where there is interdependence, there will be conflict, but a more critical concern is the resolution of conflicts.
“You can’t avoid it. It’s inevitable, but the most important thing is how to resolve it when the issue comes up.”
Mr. Anankpieng called for immense collaboration among parents, teachers, school management bodies, and the students themselves to help deal with the situation.
A member of the Regional Peace Council and Chair of the Conflict Management Committee, Shaikh Abu-bakr Sadiq Abdul-Rahman explained that riots in schools have more often happened “because of the manner in which we were fed.”
“It stems mostly from food. The students are not happy with the quality and quantity. Also, the communication is not well done between students and management.”
The Chairman of the Peace Education Sub-committee and member of the Regional Peace Council, Sir Alfred Ndago, for his part, explained that more needs to be done to enhance conflict resolution schemes in schools.
“Conflicts are fine. They help people grow. It is only when it grows, and is not properly handled, it gets out of hand.”
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana