The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has taken action against Bright Senior High School, albeit interim, by relocating the examination centre from the school to a different school.
This follows what the Council calls “unruly behaviour” of the students there, after reports emerged that the students with the backing of the staff and the proprietor of the school allegedly assaulted invigilators supervising the ongoing WASSCE on Thursday.
WAEC officials had to run for their lives after the students were reported to have pelted them with stones and other offence objects, injuring a number of them as well as a journalist who was covering the examination process.
Candidates from the Bright Senior High School will now write the remaining papers at Ofori Panin Senior High School with effect from 8th August, 2020.
According to a statement signed by Mrs. Wendy E. Addy-Lamptey, Head of National Office, WAEC, on Friday said, the decision was to “ensure the integrity of the examination and safeguard the lives of examination officials (Supervisors, Invigilators and WAEC Officers) assigned to the centre”.
The Council noted that it is “particularly appalled at the riotous behaviour and the assault on the WAEC officials and media personnel by candidates of Bright Senior High School (SHS), Kukurantumi on Thursday, 6th August, 2020”.
The WAEC statement confirmed that it has also received information suggesting that the students were “instigated” by the proprietor of the school in protest against the enforcement of stipulated examination rules and regulations.
“The Council strongly condemns the behavior of the proprietor and candidates of Bright SHS as reported and wishes to caution that such unruly behaviour contravenes Section 8 (1) of the WAEC Act, 2006 (Act 719) which frowns on and sanctions acts of assault on examination officials.”
The Council also served notice that it will not hesitate to sanction Bright SHS, as well as staff, students and candidates found culpable in the reported action and future incidents.
“WAEC cautions all school authorities and candidates that it will not hesitate to take legal action against any person involved in compromising the integrity of the examination in any manner.”
Meanwhile, the police has picked up the proprietor of Bright Senior High School, Bright Amponsah.
