We won’t tolerate insubordination in our schools – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has warned that insubordination and any form of indiscipline in educational institutions will not be tolerated.

His comments follow a student riot at Wa Technical Institute that left school property badly damaged.

Dr. Apaak visited the school on Saturday after being briefed by the Municipal Chief Executive on the disturbance, which occurred on Thursday night and disrupted academic activity.

He said the scene he witnessed was troubling and unacceptable.

“What I’ve seen is very disappointing. The situation is very worrying and it is having an impact on teaching and learning,” he stated.

Despite his disappointment, the Deputy Minister recognised the swift response from local authorities and school leadership.

“I want to commend the MCE, the board chair, the principal and management for moving in to secure the situation,” he said.

School officials told him that a committee had been set up to probe the incident, which has been described as a clash involving some students and their collaborators against other students.

Dr. Apaak stressed that the ministry would await the findings before making definitive comments on the causes.

“Because we don’t know the actual causes of this issue, we cannot speak in detail, save to say we expect the investigation to unravel what has caused this,” he noted.

He warned that the ministry will not condone behaviour that threatens order or damages public property. “As a government, as a ministry, we won’t tolerate disorder, insubordination, and the destruction of public property from anyone,” he emphasised.

He added that safeguarding teaching and learning environments remains a priority and insisted that students must respect school regulations.

Dr. Apaak was accompanied on the visit by the Principal of Wa Technical Institute, Adams Saaka; Municipal Chief Executive Nurah Danwanaa; Dasaana Adamu, FSHS Regional Coordinator; and Upper West Regional Police Commander DCOP Francis Yiribaare.

Security has since been strengthened on campus to prevent further disturbances as authorities work to restore calm.

The Deputy Minister urged cooperation from all parties and expressed confidence that the investigative committee would provide clarity on the events that led to the unrest.

He said its findings will guide steps to reinforce discipline and ensure that the school remains a safe space for academic growth.