The National Council of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of Ghana has welcomed the Ghana Education Service’s (GES) plans to reopen Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) after its closure in August 2026. The school shut down on August 5 following an alleged sexual assault incident, which triggered concerns about student safety and disrupted academic activities, especially for final-year students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Form Three students at Obuasi SHTS have remained at home since the closure, while Form One and Form Two students have continued their schooling. The PTA Council’s National Secretary, Gapson Kofi Raphael, spoke at a meeting held at Badu Bonsu Senior High School in Agona Ahanta, urging the Ministry of Education and GES to allow final-year students to resume classes even as investigations into the incident proceed.
“We support investigations, but as our elders say, you do not burn down the house because of a rat,” Raphael said. He emphasised the need to protect the academic future of students not implicated in the alleged misconduct, arguing that they should not suffer because of the alleged actions of others.
The Council praised the steps taken by GES to reopen the school and called for any arrangements to prioritise the safety and well-being of all students. At the same time, it urged thorough investigations and appropriate disciplinary actions for anyone found culpable.
Raphael also called for stronger measures to prevent sexual abuse in schools. He urged teacher unions, school authorities, and parents to collaborate on protecting students. “The classroom is for chalk, not for bed,” he said, warning that teachers found guilty of sexual abuse should face sanctions up to removal from the teaching profession.
Acknowledging the dedication of many teachers, Raphael warned that misconduct by some individuals risks undermining public confidence in the profession. He encouraged parents to stay actively involved in their children’s welfare, monitor their conduct, and maintain regular communication with school authorities.
Students were also urged to obey school rules and report any inappropriate conduct or suspected abuse to trusted adults and the relevant authorities.
The PTA Council stated its ongoing commitment to working with GES, school authorities, teachers, and parents to promote discipline, student safety, and uninterrupted education. The reopening plan for Obuasi SHTS is now a test of balancing the urgency of academic continuity against the need for a thorough investigation into the allegations.
According to 3News.
