Bolgatanga, Sept. 17, GNA – Minister for Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, has called for firm disciplinary measures against students involved in the Bolgatanga Technical Institute (BOTECH) riots to serve as a deterrent to others.
The disturbances, which began on August 14 and escalated into the early hours of August 15, followed the suspension of five students for acts of indiscipline. Three others, fearing they could be next, reportedly disconnected the electricity supply to the school, set the library ablaze, and vandalised other property. Several injuries were recorded, prompting the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to close the school indefinitely.
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Speaking during a working visit to the institute, Mr. Iddrisu said grooming future leaders required instilling values of integrity and discipline. He urged teachers not to compromise on discipline, assuring them of full state support.
“So, within the next 14 days, I want to see urgent disciplinary action meted out without fear or favour. You cannot take the law into your own hands and walk free,” he stressed, warning that government would not reward misconduct with new infrastructure.
The Minister, who is also MP for Tamale South, assured staff that the Mahama-led government would not interfere in academic management, adding, “We have faith and confidence in you and your leadership, so don’t let us down.”
Mr. Iddrisu later visited Zamse Senior High Technical School, where he interacted with students and inspected abandoned structures built in 1970. He suggested converting one into a girls’ dormitory and the other into a teachers’ hostel, subject to a structural integrity test by the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL).
