Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my view on what has become some sort of ritual for some final year Senior High School students in parts of the country.  Almost every year, we hear stories about how some of them riot for one reason or the other, especially when things do not go the way they expect.

The latest I heard early this month came from Tweneboa Koduah Senior High School in the Ashanti Region, where some students sitting the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) went on a rampage and destroyed property in their dining hall to register their displeasure at what they described as ‘strict invigilation’ during the Integrated Science exam.

According to reports, the candidates claimed the questions were too difficult and they did not get any help from their teachers, hence the decision to vent their anger in the manner they did. Videos of the incident circulated on social media captured the students turning things upside down.

Following updates on the incident, I asked how some of these students learn to be so violent, choosing to express their grievance through the most unconventional or undiplomatic approach. 

I am aware calm had since returned to the school but I believe there could be more to the rioting than the students’ cry over stern invigilation. But even before the WASSCE ends sometime soon, I fear other final students elsewhere may want to take the law into their own hands.

I wish to encourage school authorities not to create room for some of these misbehaviour from students. They should be on guard and handle any underlining issues there may be before it escalates into campus demonstrations or riot.

Prince Kumi,

Awoshie-Accra.