Ahafo Region: School closed down after assault on headteacher

A Junior High School in the Ahafo Region, Kokofu D/A JHS, has been closed down temporarily following an assault on the headteacher a week ago, ABC News can report.

The headteacher, Paul Marfo Boakye, was assaulted by a group of young men and women who stormed the school premises to question his motive for canning a pupil of the school.

According to some teachers of the school, the headteacher, who was posted to the school this academic year to restore discipline and promote teaching and learning, usually gives numbers to the pupils and cane those who are late.

His action angered residents of Kokofu community who besieged the school and attacked the headteacher, Paul Marfo Boakye, in retaliation, after a pupil who was canned reported his conduct.
He sustained wounds and was initially admitted at the Goaso Municipal Government Hospital but was later transferred to Sunyani Regional Hospital for treatment.

This compelled the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), to demand the closure of the school, until the perpetrators are brought to book.

The Asunafo Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, Samuel Sarfo Antwi who confirmed this to 3News said the incident took place last week Wednesday.

“The headmaster was posted to the school just this academic year to instill discipline because there have been many instances pupils there have been involved in negative activities. So the headmaster was taking steps to ensure discipline in the school, but last week Wednesday he went to the school and around 9am the school was still empty, few pupils have reported to the school so the headmaster made a roll call of the various classes and all those who came after 9am were declared late. So he punished them giving four lasses each, leading to the attack on the headmaster”.
He has appealed to the Ghana Education Service to transfer all the teachers in the school who feel in-secure when the school re-opens.

3News’ checks in the school revealed that classrooms are currently under lock and key.

Meanwhile, most of the teachers in the surrounding schools have boycotted classes in solidarity with their colleagues in the school.

“This is the first time I have heard of a pupil going out to call thugs to come and beat a teacher in the school.

“This is just barbaric and we can’t sit down and say nothing. For the sake of the children, GNAT asked the school to be closed down to keep both teachers and pupils safe.”
The Goaso Police Command where the case was reported has arrested three residents – two men and a woman – to assist in its investigations.