EduWatch condemns TVET students arrest over exam results

Education think tank – Africa Education Watch (EduWatch) after about 40 students of Krobea Asante Technical Institute were arrested by the Ghana police service on January 22, 2023, has called for the release of the public TVET students.

In a social media post sighted by AcademicWeek, the Executive Director of the Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare said “these are juveniles; let’s counsel them. No need to arrest. They must be in class today to learn…and reform.”

The students according to media reports were arrested on Sunday by the police in the Sekyere East District of the Ashanti region for vandalizing school properties over poor WASSCE results scored by the predecessors in 2022.

Speaking to the media, the Coordinator for Free SHS in the District, Ebenezer Opoku said a total of six cars were destroyed by the students including four vehicles belonging to the school and two private vehicles belonging to teachers.

“Properties amounting to thousands of cedis have been destroyed, and bungalows for senior house mistress, her car, school’s notice board, stores and food stored there have all been vandalised,” the Coordinator told journalists.

Meanwhile, the management of the Ghana TVET Service has closed down the Kumasi-based Krobea Asante Technical Institute over the violent demonstration by students which occurred on January 22, 2023, on the institution’s campus.

In a statement shared with AcademicWeek, the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service said its decision to shut down the technical institution is upon the advice of the Ashanti Regional Security Council.

amid the indefinite closure of the Krobea Asante Technical Institute, students have been asked to leave campus immediately. According to a report about 40 students have been arrested for causing damage to school property.

“The Security Services will be on hand to evacuate all the students to protect lives and properties. Parents are advised to take steps to pick up their wards from the school,” the management of the TVET Service said in the statement.

The press release further added that “management of the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service will keep parents and public informed on any new development.”