In recent days, there have been many videos and stories about Ghana’s high school students exhibiting disorderly conduct including violence, mischief, vandalism and yelling profanity and rude language towards authorities including the president of the Republic of Ghana.
In some of the videos some students could be heard insulting the president because their West African Examination (main standardized testing for high school students
in Ghana and much of the sub region for gaining university entry) was difficult. In one instance, some instances students vandalize school property because they were not permitted to cheat. In others, students were seen spitting out insults and profanity because of “social distancing” guidelines and supposedly strict examination rules and protocols.
On Thursday, there were news reports that students from a private school Bright Senior High, Akem Kukurantumi, Eastern Region, violently attacked an external examination official and a news reporter with knives, stones, sticks and other objects. At some point, the students kidnapped and beat up the reporter and chased up even when he tried to escape.
Their complaints? Ths exam official was too “strict” and had prevented them from cheating. The students also reportedly alleged that they had paid bribes to the tune of 6000 cedis ($1,100 USD) to their teachers to help them pass the exam. And in their mind, the official’s strict rules would prevent them from cheating to obtain pass marks.
The students attacked the reporter because he was there to investigate and report the story. Apparently, the attack was at the instigation of their a school official (teacher/ principal).
In a nearby school, Believe Technical High School, students apparently complained and protested against the exam official for similar reasons and slashed the tires of the official. These violent incidents apparently took the intervention of Ghana Police Service and the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) unit.
These incidents have garnered a lot of attention, commentary and condemnation by many Ghanaians. Some people are in utter shock; others are outraged. Some are blaming the schools, others are blaming parents, some pointing fingers at authorities whilst some just blame social media and the supposed influence of western culture.
But my question is: who’s really responsible for this mess? Is this an episodic event or it is a trend? Is it really new or it has always been there? Is it something bigger than people realize and can it be looked at in isolation? Are today’s kids worse than their parents and grandparents? What do you also think?
In my next piece I will offer my analysis and opinion as to what I think is wrong here.
Keep reading and let’s digest the situation!
Akosua G
Ontario, Canada
August 06, 2020