Kumasi, Aug 4, GNA - The Old Students Association of the Osei Kyeretwie Secondary School (OKESS), in Kumasi has expressed concern about rampant disturbances and continued poor academic performance of students of the school.

They blamed the situation on the school's administration, which it said appears to have lost control of affairs.

These were contained in a press statement issued by the association and signed by its National President, Dr Kwabena Opoku-Adusei.

It was in response to recent media reports attributed to the Headmaster, Mr Fredrick Acheampong that sought to create the impression that the school's Board of Governors has been the main obstacle to his efforts at instilling discipline into the students.

The statement stated that the association does not want to hold brief for the Board, but under the revised constitution of the board of governors for senior secondary schools (SSS), he is responsible to the board for the academic, social and domestic organisation and conduct of the school.

It said that the association since 1983 has tried as much as possible to tolerate the headmaster.

The statement indicated that the problems of OKESS under the administration of the present headmaster have been numerous, citing as many as four students' demonstrations and series of unrest.

It recounted that in spite of the fact that the school has a Science Resource Centre, the final year science class in 1999 could not take their examinations in practical science.

It continued that, the students were made to pay 15,000 cedis each towards the examination and said this amount was later refunded after they had rioted.

The statement said it was, therefore, no wonder that 68 out of the 400 students who sat for the SSS final year examinations could not get a single pass in any subject.

The statement added that the headmaster refused to register 13 final year students for the SSS examination under the pretext that they were under investigations.

It noted that he has not taken any appropriate steps to improve upon the standards of the students.