By Francis Kobena Tandoh
Continuing students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) are expected to return to school next week, nearly three months after the school was closed following disturbances on campus, according to the Ghana Education Service (GES) on Thursday.
GES management said preparations were at an advanced stage for the students to resume academic work. The continuing students have been at home since August 5, while first-year students have remained in school since reporting on September 18.
“The first year students have been in school since the reporting date on September 18, and Management assures that preparations are far advanced for continuing students to return to school sometime next week,” the statement said.
The school was closed after unrest erupted on campus in the early hours of August 5, following the alleged discovery of what was believed to be the remains of a baby buried on the school compound. Some students reportedly linked the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, to the incident and confronted him, triggering violence.
Mr Abdulai was allegedly assaulted during the disturbances and sustained injuries that required further treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. School property, including staff bungalows and vehicles, was also vandalised, while six students were arrested in connection with the incident.
The August disturbances are separate from the more recent sexual abuse allegations involving Mr Abdulai, which gained wider public attention following an investigative report by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni. The GES has initiated a separate investigation into those allegations.
The Service said it would provide further updates on arrangements for the return of continuing students as necessary. Enditem
