A group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Adansi has petitioned the Adansihene to intervene for the immediate reopening of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), which has remained closed for months following disturbances on campus.
The school was shut down after the Ashanti Regional Education Directorate and the Obuasi Municipal Assembly ordered its closure following a riot in which students reportedly attacked the headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, over allegations of sexual abuse involving female students.
Abdulai is currently under investigation following a recent JoyNews exposé that further examined allegations of sexual encounters with about 19 girls at the school. The allegations have not been established, and investigations are ongoing.
Despite the commencement of the new academic calendar in senior high schools, academic activities at Obuasi SHTS have yet to resume.
In their petition, the concerned citizens said the closure had left Form Two and Form Three students at home without a clear timeline for returning to the classroom.
“The situation is particularly alarming for Form Three students, who should be preparing intensively for their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The loss of valuable instructional time threatens their examination preparation and academic prospects,” the statement said.
The group said parents and guardians were increasingly distressed by the uncertainty surrounding their children’s education.
“Our children must not become collateral victims of an administrative crisis. Their right to education and their prospects for academic success must not be sacrificed while the relevant authorities deliberate over the issues surrounding the school,” it added.
Group questions reported dismissal of 38 teachers
The group also expressed concern over the reported dismissal of 38 teachers from the school following criticism of the handling of allegations involving the headmaster.
It said the reports raised questions about administrative accountability, procedural fairness and the protection of teachers who raise concerns about developments within their institution.
“We acknowledge that the allegations require independent verification. Nevertheless, we are deeply concerned that the reported transfers could create a perception of victimisation and divert public attention from the substantive issues that require investigation,” the statement said.
“The displacement of teachers must not become a substitute for establishing the truth, nor should innocent educators suffer professional consequences for raising legitimate concerns.”
Calls for impartial investigation
The concerned citizens are appealing to traditional authorities to intervene to secure the reopening of the school.
They are also demanding an impartial investigation into the allegations against the headmaster and the circumstances surrounding the reported directive affecting the teachers.
The group said resolving the issues was necessary to protect students’ education while ensuring that the allegations and concerns raised by staff were addressed through a fair process.