Four Kumasi Academy WASSCE candidates arrested over alleged threats to burn school
Four candidates of Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) sitting for this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) have been arrested for allegedly threatening to set the school ablaze over what they described as unfair treatment by management.
The students, part of about 60 candidates placed under a special “quarantine” arrangement during the examination period, were picked up by the Asokore Police Command after reportedly making threats to burn down the school after completing their exams.
School authorities introduced the quarantine system, which requires selected candidates to write their examinations in separate classrooms from other students.
According to management, the affected students were isolated due to repeated acts of indiscipline, including absenteeism, refusal to take part in internal examinations, and alleged intimidation of academically focused students.
The arrangement has, however, generated concern among some parents, who argue that their wards are being subjected to psychological pressure during the examination period.
During a visit to the centre by officials of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and school authorities, the affected candidates were seen writing their Social Studies paper in separate classrooms under invigilators’ supervision.
Defending the measure, the Municipal Director of Education for Asokore Mampong, Samson Anawine Atogembero, said the students had consistently breached school regulations throughout the academic year.
He described the quarantine arrangement as an administrative step aimed at maintaining discipline and safeguarding the integrity of the examinations.
He stressed that the students were not being mistreated but were simply writing in separate classrooms under the same examination conditions as other candidates.
“They are our students and we cannot discriminate against them. However, we have a responsibility to protect other candidates and ensure the smooth conduct of the examinations,” he said.
Mr Atogembero further argued that placing the students with disciplined candidates could create room for disruption and examination malpractice.
He dismissed claims that the affected students had been denied academic support ahead of the examinations, adding that the arrangement is temporary and intended to strengthen discipline in the school.
Meanwhile, after their arrest, the four students together with their parents signed bonds of good behaviour and have since been released to continue writing their examinations.
The Municipal Director warned candidates against acts of vandalism or destruction after the examinations, noting that anyone found culpable would face the full rigours of the law.