General News of Monday, 17 March 2008

Source: GNA

Adisadel College closes down indefinitely

Cape Coast, March 17, GNA - Adisadel College in Cape Coast has been closed down indefinitely to stop further destruction of school property by students following the death of a final year science student who jumped to his death from the fourth floor of the school's new storey building.

Nana Ato Arthur, Central Regional Minister, said on Monday that the decision to close down the school was after a meeting with the school's authorities, Ghana Education Service and the Parent/Teacher Association. He said considering the large number of students on campus and the destruction they had caused in two days, it would be difficult for the police and school authorities to effectively maintain order and that it was better for the students to go home to ensure some calm.

Earlier in an interview the Headmaster, Mr Herbert Graham, said they were doing everything to calm down the students and that the police were brought in to help restore order and not to harm any student. Mr Graham said the family of the late Mustapha Abdul Gafaru had visited the school and everything about his death had been explained to them.

When the GNA visited the school at 0800 hours students, who were supposed to be in class and final year students who were to write their mock examination, were seen in groups outside their classrooms. Some were in their Friday wear instead of school uniform whiles others wore red bands on their head. They poured away their breakfast and threw the doughnuts at the police.

Some of the students expressed their displeasure about the situation and suggested that students be sent home immediately to avoid further destruction on campus.

Gafaru died on Sunday when he jumped from the fourth floor of a new storey building to escape punishment from the Senior House Master. He landed on his head in a gutter near the block and died instantly.