Chaos at Sirigu SHS As Students Seize Headmaster’s Car, Lock Up His Office During Protest
- Sirigu Senior High School students seized their headmaster's car and locked his office during a protest
- Students have complained about inadequate toilet facilities, contributing to their other security concerns
- They also called for the headmaster's removal and a thorough investigation into the use of funds for feeding
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Students of Sirigu Senior High School in the Kassena Nankana West District, Upper East Region, took drastic action against their headmaster over his alleged refusal to repair five broken boreholes on campus.
During a protest on August 5, the students reportedly seized control of principal Ferdinard Achaa's car keys and locked his office when he arrived at the school during a visit from the District Chief Executive (DCE).
Source: Original
The District Chief Executive, Akurugu Aeke Stephen, told YEN.com.gh the situation was tense, with authorities said to be being overwhelmed.
“I had no option because the students had all surrounded us, leaving us in the middle... The headmaster was also in the middle, and some other policemen were in the middle, and they were all out. They want the key to their pickup. They don’t want the headmaster to be using their pickup. They don’t even want him again in the school.”
Stephen noted that the demonstration was peaceful and that no school property was destroyed.
He disclosed that he had instructed a mechanic to begin repairs on the broken boreholes to address the students’ water crisis. The issue of the toilet facilities is also planned to be addressed.
The Students Representative Council president of the school, Bukari Ayadago, asked the headmaster's to be handed back so he could leave, as the students expressed their strong dissatisfaction with the situation.
The students said broken boreholes had made life unbearable, forcing them to travel long distances to access water for domestic chores. This has even led to an attack on a girl in the school.
Ayadago, who is visually impaired, further accused the headmaster of neglecting the school’s toilet facilities, which had led to open defecation among students.
Complaints about unsanctioned fees under Free SHS
Meanwhile, despite being under the free education policy, the students claimed they were paying fees of GH₵100, which had recently increased to GH₵150, supposedly to improve their school feeding situation.
However, the quality of meals has not improved. The GBC reported that the Education Minister has had cause to criticise the quality of meals in schools.
Ayadago called on the government to remove the headmaster within five days and demanded a thorough investigation into the feeding fees collected from students, questioning how the money had been spent, given the poor quality of meals.
Gowrie SHS teachers forcefully remove headmistress
Also in the Upper East, teachers at Gowrie Senior High Technical School in Bongo District forcibly removed their headmistress, Elizabeth Zinye Paaga, on July 22.
The headmistress is under scrutiny for allegedly mismanaging student funds, failing to renovate key facilities, and diverting food supplies.
Source: Original
Teachers also criticised her for withholding the 2024 WASSCE results analysis, which they believe is essential for understanding student performance trends.
Government clears Capitation Grant arrears from 2023
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the government cleared all outstanding Capitation Grant arrears owed to basic schools across the country, marking a significant development aimed at supporting public schools and enhancing the quality of education.
In light of the latest news, a statement from the Ghana Education Service on July 23, 2025, said government was committed to the smooth operation and effective management of schools to deliver quality education with greater accountability and autonomy.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
