The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) condemns unreservedly reports of students going on rampage in some Senior High Schools (SHS) over the enforcement of strict invigilation rules during the ongoing 2020 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The incidents at Tweneboa Kodua S.H.S., Kumawu; Adawomase S.H.S., Juaben S.H.S., Bright S.H.S., Akyem Kukurantumi; Sekondi College and Ndewura Jakpa Senior High/ Technical School in the Ashanti, Eastern, Western and Savannah Regions respectively, where students destroyed furniture, smashed bowls containing evening meals in the dining hall, attacking invigilators, journalists, demonstrated and issued threats to school authorities for being firm on invigilation during exams is unacceptable, objectionable and intolerable.
In preparing for examination, past questions, Chief Examiners’ Report and syllabi are resources to guide candidates. In fact, it is indefensible to argue that the promise and provision of past questions is enough grounds to demonstrate and destroy school properties. The Commission maintains that in a democratic dispensation, violence is not an option to resolving or settling scores.
We also condemn the foul language and reckless behaviour of students displayed on social media. Freedom of speech does not give any individual the right to use abusive language particularly to the personality of the President of the Republic. In this vein, we call all Ghanaians who have the opportunity to speak in the media and public space to be decorous in their utterances and submissions.
As we approach the 2020 General Election, NCCE urges Ghanaians and political parties to be moderate in language as they go about their political activities. The Commission holds the view that the stakes in the upcoming elections are very high. Consequently, we need a disciplined and measured political climate to undertake a healthy political party campaign that engenders issues-based engagements whilst preserving the sanctity of our democracy. We call on political parties not to prey on these misguided youth but to join in our collective condemnation of this distasteful act.
NCCE is aware of the Ghana Government’s effort to provide equal educational opportunities to all citizens in the country, as enshrined in Articles 25 (1) and 38 (1) of the 1992 Constitution. The Commission takes serious exception to the reaction of the students who want a relaxation of examination invigilation rules so that they can collude with each other in the examination hall.
We are equally worried about a related incident where some WASSCE question papers were leaked. These incidents threaten the sustenance of the democratic values of accountability, responsibility, discipline, integrity and honesty, which are gradually being watered down.
The Commission reiterates the fact that we cannot build a prosperous society with negative values of dishonesty and indiscipline. The NCCE therefore appeals to all stakeholders in education, including parents and the government to join hands with NCCE to nurture our students, our future leaders to offer the required leadership to consolidate the gains made in our democratic journey.
God Bless Our Homeland Ghana and Make Our Nation Great and Strong!
Joyce Afutu (Mrs.)
(Director, Communications and Corporate Affairs)
Obrempong-Nana Kwaku Ampomah 