Schools Boards can’t prevent pregnant girls from final exams

Mr. Jacob Kor, Central Regional Director of Education, has said Board of Governors of second cycle schools had no powers to prevent pregnant students from writing their final year examinations.

“If the pregnant girl is healthy enough and has the ability to write the examinations, nobody can prevent them from doing so,” he said.

Mr. Kor, who spoke at the inauguration of the 18-member re-constituted Board of Governors of Swedru School of Business (SWESBUS) at Agona Swedru, said board members had no power to sack students from school for wrong doing.

He said the powers of the board members were to make recommendations to the Ghana Education Service (GES) for further actions.

Mr. Kor also said it was against the policies and rules of GES to sack a student from school for nonpayment of fees and it is also wrong for school authorities to drive away a registered final year student because he or she owes school fees.

He said once the student is registered he or she had a contract with West Africa Examination Council (WAEC).

Mr. Kor told the new board members urged them not to arrogate to themselves power that would undermine school management and also create conflicts.

Mr. Samuel Afrifa Appiagyei, the Headmaster, said the school had chalked 55 years but lacked adequate infrastructures for effective teaching and learning.

He said some of the on–going projects such as Home Economics block and two detached staff bungalows had been at a standstill since 2001 and appealed to the l government, Agona West Municipal Assembly and development partners to come to the aid of the school.

Mr. Charles Obeng-Inkoom, MP for Agona West, presented a cheque for 15,000 Ghana cedis for the renovation of a three-story building at the school.