O'Reilly Student Death: 5 times the public has raised concerns over alarming trends of school negligence
Some students carrying Edward Sackey to the hospital before he was pronounced dead
The death of 18-year-old Edward Borketey Sackey, a final year student at O’Reilly SHS, has sparked public concerns about the negligence of school authorities regarding student welfare and the issue of student indiscipline within schools.
The trend of these disturbing deaths in various senior high schools across the country appears to be increasing alarmingly, with no end in sight.
Many argue that most of these reported student deaths could have been prevented if the authorities had given the necessary attention and urgency to student welfare.
The following are some cases of student deaths due to negligence of school authorities.
1. O’Reilly SHS student stabbed
An argument over whose father is wealthier resulted in the death of Edward Sackey, a General Arts student on September 2, 2024.
According to reports, teachers and authorities showed no concern and failed to intervene when the altercation between the students turned violent.
Additionally, the school authorities showed no concern after the deceased had been stabbed. It was the effort of fellow students who hailed a car to transport the deceased to LEKMA hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The suspect, identified as Godwin, who fatally stabbed the deceased, has been apprehended by the police.
2. Death of first year Aburi Girls SHS student
On February 5, 2024, a first-year student at Aburi Girls Senior High School in the Eastern Region lost her life after allegedly being denied medical attention by the school nurse, who reportedly accused her of feigning illness.
Despite her complaints of severe stomach pains, she was rushed to the hospital only after it was too late.
3. Death of Akim Swedru SHS student
Kester Vadje, a 19-year-old student at Akim Swedru Senior High School, tragically lost his life.
The parents claimed that the school management had refused to grant their son permission to seek medical help, ultimately leading to his death on February 1, 2024.
Kester was reportedly told he did not appear ill enough to warrant a medical exeat. His father eventually took him to two hospitals, but sadly, he succumbed to his condition.
4. Death of Kalpohin SHS student
On February 20, 2024, a 17-year-old student at Kalpohin Senior High School in the Eastern Region, died after the senior housemaster allegedly failed to provide timely medical assistance.
Fellow students, who witnessed their peer vomiting at the school entrance, attempted to alert the housemaster, on two occasions, before finally taking the student to the hospital, where it was tragically too late.
5. Death of Ghana National College student
Theophilus Ansah, a final-year science student at Ghana National College in Cape Coast, recently passed away following a brief illness, in July 2024.
His family has alleged that negligence by school authorities contributed to their ward's untimely death.
Family spokesperson, Lucy Quianoo, expressed her outrage, stating, "We entrusted our son to the school, but they failed him. The school's negligence has cost us our son. We demand justice and accountability.”
All these cases have occurred in 2024.
In light of this, the responsibility of school authorities to ensure the well-being of their students has come into question as Ghanaians call for accountability from the authorities.
MAG/MA
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