Deputy Minister for Education, Dr Clement Apaak, has disclosed that investigations into the violent confrontation between Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School could widen beyond students.
According to him, the police are exploring the possibility that individuals who are not affiliated with either school may have influenced or facilitated the violence that resulted in attacks and extensive destruction of property.
Speaking in an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Dr Apaak explained that the police commander had indicated that investigators would not restrict their probe to students involved in the incident.
“The police commander insinuated that they are not going to limit the investigation to just students,” he said.
He said investigators were also examining whether external actors may have contributed to escalating the situation.
“There could be other influences who may not even be students, but may have played a role in enhancing, even if tacitly, what happened,” he added.
Dr Apaak said the government would wait for the police to complete their investigations and submit a comprehensive report before deciding on further measures.
He welcomed the arrests already made in connection with the violence and commended the Eastern Regional Minister and the Regional Directorate of Education for their swift intervention.
The violence erupted between the two schools in the early hours of Wednesday, September 2, leading to reprisal attacks and the destruction of school property.
Six students of Okuapeman SHS were hospitalised after sustaining injuries during the incident, which occurred at about 2 a.m.
Several facilities at Okuapeman SHS were subsequently damaged or set ablaze, including the Visual Arts studio, teachers’ office and seven classrooms.
Examination papers and certificates were also reportedly destroyed in the attacks.
At Mount Sinai SHS, a storeroom and the boys’ washroom were also burnt.
Dr Apaak stressed that the government would ensure that all persons found to have contributed to the violence or destruction of property are held accountable.
He said such accountability would not be limited to students, but could extend to teachers, staff members, school management or any other individuals found to have played a role.
