WASSCE Riots: Okyenhene Orders Closure Of Bright SHS
The directive to close Bright SHS comes, despite apologies by the school officials over the incident
Jonas Danquah 
The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has called for the immediate closure of the Bright Senior High School, a private institution at Akyem – Kukruantumi in the Eastern Region over an alleged attack on WAEC officials by students of the school.
The Akyem – Abukwa Traditional Council announced the order of the Okyenhene in a press statement signed by the State Secretary, D.M Ofori Atta, and copied to the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, West Africa Examination Council.
The Akyem – Abuakwa Traditional said the 'low academic standards' of Bright SHS prompted their decision to demand for its closure.
They said “it has been noted that Bright SHS in terms of admission process and curriculum is in violation of all the protocols and regulatory measures of the Ghana Education Service. This point is proven without a doubt”.
According to the Council, about 90% of graduands of the Bright SHS drop out of public universities in their first year due to their lack of ability to meet the intellectual and academic demands of tertiary institutions.
The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council said they are most concerned with the fact of the abuse and degradation of its young mind, and regrettably is unable to tolerate this situation.
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The Traditional Council noted that, ” they are being provoked by the incident of examination fraud of grave significance in direct relation to the assault of Mr Gyan Mensah and Damolie Emmanuel Pacome, an official of the West African Examination Council and a reporter or the Daily Graphic respectively in their lawful duties to insist on fair conduct of WASSCE examination”.
The Council added that “On humanitarian grounds and fatherly consideration, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council will assist in the rehabilitation of affected students; this is in consideration of their immediate and best interest”
Meanwhile, officials of Bright Senior High School at Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region have apologized for the incident.
The school has however dismissed claims that its principal, Bright Nyarko Amponsah, instigated the attacks.
Head of Communications at Bright Senior High School, Dr. Isaac Asare, said both the director and the teachers were not at the examination centre during the chaos.
