BOGISS assault case poorly handled by school authorities – Apaak

According to Dr Apaak, the school and education authorities should have acted more decisively and promptly instead of waiting for the matter to become public before initiating steps to address it.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Thursday, August 20, he questioned the response of the school’s headmistress, the Municipal Director of Education and the Regional Director of Education, arguing that they had a responsibility to act sooner.

“Our understanding is that the parents clearly rejected the letter and its content. They do not agree with what the school is supposed to have assigned as the award and the consequential actions that the school had initiated. And we agree with them because, you know, we are promoting inclusive education,” he added.

Dr Apaak’s comments follow a disciplinary decision involving the student, who is alleged to have been sexually abused by the two security personnel. A letter from the school indicated that dismissal would ordinarily have been the prescribed sanction, but the punishment was reduced to deboarding because of the student’s medical condition.

However, Dr Apaak said the government disagrees with the approach taken in the letter, stressing that the student’s condition should not be used as a basis for what he considers an inappropriate response to the incident.

He further argued that the decision runs contrary to efforts by the government to strengthen special needs and inclusive education, insisting that students with disabilities or other medical conditions must receive appropriate protection and support within the education system.

Dr Apaak assured the public that the Education Ministry is treating the matter seriously, noting that Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu had assigned him to take up the issue as part of his official responsibilities.

He said the ministry would therefore engage the relevant authorities and seek answers over the handling of the case, reiterating that the response by the school and education officials was “badly and poorly handled.”