Committee recommends disciplinary action against Osino SHS students

Osino (E/R), Oct. 30, GNA - The Committee set up to investigate an alleged sexual scandal that rocked Osino Presbyterian Senior High School in the Eastern Region has recommended outright withdrawal or suspension of all offenders.

The committee also recommended the abolition of the title "Chief Boarding Officer" as well as the "school mother and father relationship" and also fencing of the school compound. These were contained in a report presented to Mr Daniel Dugan, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, when he visited the school in the company of the Director, Department of Children, Mr Peter Eduful and an Officer of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit to assess the situation. The findings discovered a general breakdown of discipline. It also found out that the alleged rape of a female student was false as stated by a doctor's report. It also came out that the channel of communication was not working properly, and that there was gross abuse of "school father and mother relationship" and too many outlets to the school. Mr Dugan condemned the spate of indiscipline that is creeping into schools and called on students to take their academic work serious. He said negative peer influence was a destructive force that must not be condoned, saying, "Study hard, aim high and let the sky be your limit".

Mr Eduful said government was committed to creating the enabling environment to ensure that education for all was achieved. Mr Kwadwo Akyeampong-Sakyi, Headmaster of the School, expressed his disappointment about the manner the media carried the story. "In fact the school has over the past two weeks been under constant harassment from the media." He said copies of the report would be forwarded to the Ghana Education Service and other authorities concerned. Mr Akyeampong-Sakyi said the school with a population of 1,200 lacked basic school amenities such as dormitory blocks and science laboratory.