WASSCE Students Learn In Darkness

THE ELECTRICITY Company of Ghana (ECG) has disconnected power supply to Kwahu Ridge Senior High Technical School at Obo Kwahu in the Eastern region due to the school�s indebtedness of over GH�17,000.00. This has forced the student population of over 1,300, including candidates writing the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to learn in total darkness. Some of the Students in an interview with the Daily Heritage expressed frustrations over the situation explaining that they have to resort to the use of candles, lanterns and touch lights to study. Information gathered by the paper indicates that the electricity supply to the school was cut off on April 17 and several appeals to the ECG to restore power to the school by the headmaster, K. Aziaka have proved futile. The headmaster said the school is unable to settle the electricity bills because, majority of the WASSCE candidates have failed to pay their fees making the coffers of the school dry. He said since the school has no right to ban the candidates from writing the exams, they were left to do so. He is, therefore, appealing to the Minister of Education and the Kwahu West Assembly to intervene to help the school make part payment to ECG to have power reconnected to the school. The Mpraeso District Manager of ECG, Mr. Kabuttey told the paper that, the school has been in debt since last year, hence, the company�s decision to disconnect electricity supply to the school. He said the company has been lenient to the school for a very long time as they always beg whenever their power is about to be disconnected. He said the company will restore power to the school as and when the debt is settled. Kwahu Ridge Senior High and Technical School is facing many challenges including lack of water and infrastructure as published by the paper in previous publications. The challenges are affecting quality of education delivery and academic performance of the students.