The Bolgatanga Technical Institute in the Upper East Region of Ghana has been shut down following the suspension of five students who threatened school prefects. The students were protesting the enforcement of dress code regulations, which they claimed were not properly communicated by the school authorities.
The situation escalated on the night of August 15, 2025, when students set the school library and the Senior House Master’s office ablaze in response to the suspensions.
In an exclusive interview with Word News after the school closure, Principal Mr. Zachary Yorose expressed his surprise at the students’ actions, noting that the school had been peaceful for the past three weeks since the final-year students completed their WASSCE exams. He recalled that only two weeks prior, during a morning assembly, they had discussed the tragic incidents at Bawku and Nalerigu Senior High Schools, where improper attire had been linked to crimes committed by unknown assailants.
Mr. Yorose emphasized that the enforcement of the dress code was essential to prevent similar incidents at Bolgatanga Technical Institute. He urged students to wear the proper school attire to help identify any strangers who might pose a threat.
The five suspended students had previously summoned the school prefects for a meeting, warning them against collaborating with the authorities on disciplinary measures. When called before the school’s disciplinary committee, the students did not deny their actions, which ultimately led to their suspensions.
Mr. Yorose recounted that he had left school for Navrongo on Thursday and was called back on Friday morning after hearing about the students’ misbehaviour.
He noted that after lunch and study sessions, some students gathered in groups, which prompted teachers to engage with them. However, chaos ensued later that night when students began to destroy property, including the school’s meter box, which resulted in a power outage.
Despite the destruction, the timely intervention of the Ghana Police Service helped calm the situation and prevent further damage.
Some students, speaking off the record due to fear of retaliation, felt that the suspended students were treated unfairly, claiming that the senior house master and school authorities did not conduct a thorough investigation.
They accused the authorities of colluding with prefects to enforce rules against improper attire and scaling school walls.
Mr. Yorose appealed to parents, explaining that their children’s actions led to the school’s closure. He has informed the regional education director, who will forward the matter to the National Director of the Ministry of Education to establish a committee to investigate the incident.
Source: mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Adongo Ayuureneeya.