MCS condemns practices of ethnicity among students

Bawku (U/E), July 4 GNA - The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, (MCL) Mr. Abdul Rahinan Gumah, has condemned attempts by certain students of Bawku Secondary School voting on ethnic and tribal lines in the school's leadership elections.

He said the gradual growth of ethnocentrisms in schools should not be entertained since it does not augur well for the democratic and social development of the nation.

Mr. Gumah reminded students involved in preaching ethnic sentiments in schools to be mindful of the repercussions of their actions, adding that situations in other parts of the continent should be a lesson to all.

Mr. Gumah, who made these remarks at the 40th anniversary and speech & prize-giving Day celebration of the Bawku Secondary School at Bawku, added that such behaviour constituted an indiscipline act.

His remarks were in apparent reference to certain students' demands that the Senior School prefect (SP) should be a native of the area. This resulted in a free-for-all stone throwing between the Kusasis and Frafra students.

This happened immediately the SP election results were declared in favour of a Frafra, who contested agains a Kusasi last week.

Mr. Gumah stressed that public schools do not belong to any particular tribal, religious or political group, but to all Ghanaians and urged students to build stronger ties among themselves to secure the future of the nation.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Boniface Gambila, reiterated government's commitment of improving the human resource base through education and training to develop the country. He said this was the only way to reduce poverty and misery associated with rural communities.

Mr. Gambila noted that the image of the school has suffered a lot due to frequent unrest by students, stressing that it has offended academic progress.

The Regional Minister urged students to be circumspect and disciplined in their actions, adding, "no person could realise his dream of achieving greatness without discipline to develop one's personality." The Headmaster, Mr. Paul Apanga, attributed the poor academic performance over the past years to the indiscipline life styles of students.

This, he said, was exhibited through drunkenness, smoking, stealing, disrespect to authority, refusal to write exams and unusual sex relationships.

He also mentioned means of transport, inadequate water supply and fence wall for the school, as other factors militating against the academic progress of students.

Mr. Apanga said both staff and students depend on only two boreholes and were forced to travel long distances in search of water.

The fencing of the school would also help check encroachment on the school's land, protect properties and reduce disciplinary cases among students.