WASSCE 2025: Pre-tertiary unions call for special arrangements for candidates in conflict areas

As final-year students prepare to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), teacher unions are calling for urgent intervention.

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teacher Unions of Ghana are proposing a special arrangement to support students in conflict-affected areas.

The situation in Bawku, though somewhat stabilised by the presence of the military, remains tense. Tragically, some students have lost their lives as a result of the conflict. In response, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has temporarily shut down affected Senior High Schools in the area.

Despite the shutdown, the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is scheduled to begin next week. Concerned about the psychological state of students in Bawku, the three major pre-tertiary teacher unions are calling for special arrangements to ensure the students are not left behind.

“The mandate is in the hands of the GES to get it done, the Ghana Education Service together with the security agencies will have to carry out this assignment. Let’s just give the GES space for them to lead. If there are issues let the media engage them and let them communicate with us so that the parents and all stakeholders can remain calm,” President of NAGRAT, Angel Carbonu stressed.

He emphasised the urgency of addressing the students’ emotional well-being and ensuring their safety during the exams.

“We have other senior high schools in the area, what we need is to have special arrangement for them but you see these are the consequences of conflicts. At the end of the day, it affects the children of Bawku, it affects the children of Nalerigu, it affects all the other towns and villages in that area, and somebody can lose his life focus,” he explained.

Vice President of the Pre-Tertiary Teacher Unions, Adokwei Awulley, added that psychological support must be provided for the students before they sit for the exams.

“As we speak now, in other schools they are learning. Teachers are on them they are being taught how to write the examination. But now when you go to Nalerigu children are at home and when it is time for the exams, they are going to assist them come back to campus and write the examinations why should it be so, the psychological trauma they will go through will be worrying,” he pointed out.

The unions also emphasized that the military should be given the space to carry out their duties professionally, while education authorities focus on the academic and psychological needs of the students.

General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah Tanko said the military should be allowed to do their work.

“Too many people are talking on this matter, but you see, where we are now you don’t talk much. The people who ought to be speaking now are the security agencies and other individuals who have been mandated. Let them be feeding us, not individuals who come AND add more flame to the fire,” he said.

Source:Fiilafmonline/3News