Four students from Kumasi Academy, who are taking the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), have been arrested due to alleged threats to set the school ablaze following the completion of their exams.
The arson threats reportedly arose from the students’ claims that the school’s administration had imposed a “quarantine” system, isolating them from their peers.
These four students are part of approximately 60 candidates who have been taking their exams in separate rooms since the commencement of the WASSCE.
The “quarantine” system is a policy implemented by the school authorities to closely monitor students who have violated school regulations, including frequent absenteeism, refusal to engage in internal examinations, and allegations of intimidating their more prepared classmates.
Parents of the students affected have expressed their concerns regarding this system, characterising the treatment of their children as “tense and hostile”.
They contend that this arrangement is psychologically detrimental to students who are already facing examination stress.
Nevertheless, the Ghana Education Service (GES) Directorate in the Asokore Mampong Municipality has supported the decision.
During a visit to the examination centre alongside school officials and GES representatives, Adom News noted that the affected candidates were completing their Social Studies paper in isolation under the supervision of invigilators, without any security interference.
In response to the parents’ concerns, the Municipal Director of Education, Samson Anawine Atogembero, defended the decision, asserting that the students had demonstrated ongoing indiscipline throughout the academic year.
“They are our candidates, so we cannot treat them differently. However, if we allow them to sit with other students who were regular throughout the semester, they may be disruptive and could even attempt to copy from their colleagues. This could lead to examination malpractice, and when they are caught, innocent students would be affected, which we do not want to tolerate,” he added.
Mr. Atogembero further stated that the action was taken in good faith and that neither the school management nor the education directorate intended to jeopardise the candidates’ academic progress.
He explained that the term “quarantine” had been misinterpreted, adding that the measure is part of efforts to manage students at the senior high school level.
He noted that school authorities regularly engage parents on rules, expected conduct, and academic discipline.
He also denied claims that the affected students had been denied access to structured study support and supervision in the dormitories.
According to him, the quarantine arrangement is temporary, and management is working with parents to strengthen discipline to ensure that future candidates do not face similar measures during examinations.
Meanwhile, the four WASSCE candidates were arrested by the Asokore Police Command after allegedly threatening to burn down the school following their exams.
The municipal education director said the students and their parents have since signed a bond to refrain from such conduct, and the students have been released to continue writing their examinations.
He warned all SHS candidates in the municipality against any acts of destruction after examinations, cautioning that offenders will face the full rigours of the law.
