4 KUMACA students arrested over arson threats after being ‘quarantined’ during WASSCE
Four students of Kumasi Academy sitting the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) have been arrested over alleged threats to torch the school after completing their exams.
The threats of arson reportedly stemmed from accusations by the students that the school’s management had subjected them to a “quarantine” system, separating them from their colleagues.
The four students are among about 60 candidates who, from the beginning of the WASSCE, have been writing their exams in isolated rooms.
The “quarantine” system is a policy introduced by school authorities to separately supervise students who breached school rules, including repeated absenteeism, refusal to participate in internal examinations, and concerns about them allegedly intimidating well-prepared colleagues.
Parents of the affected students have raised concerns about the system, describing the treatment of their children as “tense and hostile.”
They argue that the arrangement is psychologically harmful to students already under examination pressure.
However, the Ghana Education Service (GES) Directorate in the Asokore Mampong Municipality has defended the decision.
During a visit to the examination centre with school authorities and GES officials, Adom News observed that the affected candidates were writing their Social Studies paper in isolation under invigilators’ supervision, without security interference.
Responding to the concerns of parents, the Municipal Director of Education, Samson Anawine Atogembero, justified the decision, stating that the students had exhibited persistent indiscipline throughout the academic year.
“Those who are under quarantine are simply those who decided not to follow school rules by not writing semester or mock exams, not being regular in class, and engaging in various forms of indiscipline. And let me clarify, when we say they are under quarantine, it is a normal process. It means they are in a classroom of about 30 students and are treated like their colleagues, except that index number arrangements are not followed as usual,” he explained.
He said the school management acted to protect the integrity of the examination and safeguard other candidates.
“They are our candidates, so we cannot treat them differently. However, if we allow them to sit with other students who were regular throughout the semester, they may be disruptive and could even attempt to copy from their colleagues. This could lead to examination malpractice, and when they are caught, innocent students would be affected, which we do not want to tolerate,” he added.
Mr. Atogembero further stated that the action was taken in good faith and that neither the school management nor the education directorate intended to jeopardize the candidates’ academic progress.
He explained that the term “quarantine” had been misinterpreted, adding that the measure is part of efforts to manage students at the senior high school level. He noted that school authorities regularly engage parents on rules, expected conduct, and academic discipline.
He also denied claims that the affected students had been denied access to structured study support and supervision in the dormitories.
According to him, the quarantine arrangement is temporary, and management is working with parents to strengthen discipline to ensure that future candidates do not face similar measures during examinations.
Meanwhile, the four WASSCE candidates were arrested by the Asokore Police Command after allegedly threatening to burn down the school following their exams.
The municipal education director said the students and their parents have since signed a bond to refrain from such conduct, and the students have been released to continue writing their examinations.
He warned all SHS candidates in the municipality against any acts of destruction after examinations, cautioning that offenders will face the full rigours of the law.
Source: Francis Mensah
