NUGS supports sanction on Mpraeso SSS students

Accra, Feb. 23,GNA - The National Union of Ghana Students on Thursday said it supported the decision of the authorities of the Mpraeso Secondary School to suspend 12 of its students alleged to involved in a hostel sex scandal.

Following reports of a NUGS' fact finding mission on the incident, the Union confirmed that the 12 students in question left the School without exeats to be guests at Kwahu-Bepong Moon Light Hotel, with some taking alcoholic beverages and sleeping overnight.

"This is further corroborated by the 12 students' own statements", said a release from the Union, jointly signed by Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Mr Kwame Amponfi Jnr., President and Education and Democratisation Secretary respectively.

The NUGS called on the School's Board of Governors, the Kwahu South District Assembly and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for thorough assessment of the incident and adopt appropriate permanent measures to forestall recurrence of the incident.

The NUGS also confirmed the unfortunate students' riots at the St Peters Secondary School, which led to the subsequent closure of the School, and identified the extent of damage.

The release stated that apart from the destruction of four electric meters of the school, the door of the visitors room of the school, louver blades of the windows of the Business One Classroom, doors and windows of the Staff Common Room, as well as the door of the Senior House Master's office were destroyed.

Damage was done to the bungalow and other personal effects belonging to the staff of the school. The NUGS said it noticed a poor student/ teacher relationship in the school.

The NUGS said it identified the use of mobile phones by some students, contrary to the directions of the GES to school authorities, not to allow such use, contributed to the riots. The release said some of the students possessed mobile phones, which they used to operate 'communication centres', and an attempt by teachers, on the February 15, 2006, at 2300 hours to seize those phones sparked the riots.

The NUGS said it noticed a poor student/ teacher relationship in the school and lack of adequate recognition for the Students Representative Council by the school authorities, and added that a decision by the school authorities to sanction some students who broke bounds and went to Mpraeso on Valentine's Day contributed to the unrest. The NUGS condemned the culprits involved in the riots and said they must be dealt with according to the regulations of the GES, and reminded parents of their role in training their wards without leaving it solely in the hands of teachers.