Two out of the 467 students at the Vittin Senior High School in Tamale are not participating in the ongoing West African Senior High School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The absentees; final year Home Economics candidate, got pregnant during the lockdown and has not been able to return to complete her studies, whiles the other, a male, had a swollen leg at the moment at an undisclosed village, seeking traditional treatment.
According to the headmaster of the school, Mr. Yakubu H. Douglas who disclosed this, the school authorities had contacted the pregnant student to come and sit the examination, but she refused to turn up for the papers.
He indicated that, the school had assured her of a special arrangement to reduce the stigma, but sadly, she chose not to sit for the exams.
Speaking to Diamond news in an exclusive interview, Mr. Yakubu H. Douglas also revealed that, parents of the other absentee male made contacts with the school to inform them of his inability to participate in the ongoing exam.
The Vittin Senior High headmaster expressed worry over protests in some other schools by candidates about what they described as strict supervision.
Mr. Yakubu H. Douglas urged his colleague heads of schools to psyche up the students and make them believe that it is in their best interest to peacefully write the examination.
Meanwhile, the school authorities had decided to accommodate 28 students in each classroom to enable them meet the COVID-19 social distancing and other safety protocols put in place by the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Education.
This year’s WASSCE is expected to end on September 5.
Story by: Edward A. Ken-Zorre
