All zonal inter-school athletic events between Senior High Schools and Senior High Technical Schools in the Central Region have been immediately suspended by the Ghana Education Service in response to reports of violence at recent tournaments.
The Central Regional Education Directorate claimed in a letter dated February 22 that it had received reliable reports of significant student altercations during zonal athletics events, which raised worries for the safety of students, staff, and spectators.
The Central Regional Director of Education, Juliette Dubie Otami, signed the directive, which said that the instances had weakened the fundamental principles of discipline, teamwork, and respect for one another that school sports are meant to foster and disturbed the spirit of healthy competition.
According to management, the temporary suspension was required to protect lives, keep the peace, and maintain the integrity of school athletic events while a thorough examination is conducted in collaboration with pertinent parties.
The heads of second-cycle institutions have been directed to tell students and staff of the instruction, enforce strict adherence within their particular schools, and immediately cease all planned or scheduled zonal athletics contests.
The suspension is in place until further notice and went into effect immediately. In order to ensure safety, discipline, and the genuine spirit of competition, the Service promised that measures are being implemented to resume athletic activities.
The directive comes after the Ghana Police Service is now investigating a violent incident that occurred on February 19 and disrupted the District Schools Athletics Games in Agona Swedru.
According to reports, a show of athletic prowess turned chaotic when tensions between students from Swedru School of Business, also known as SWESBUS, and Obrachire Senior High Technical School increased.
During the confrontation, a student from Obrachire was allegedly attacked by a group of students. Before onlookers interfered, he was allegedly hit by sticks and thrown stones. Later, the hurt pupil was brought to a medical facility to receive care.
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Source: newsthemegh.com