Obuasi SHTS sets staggered return dates for continuing students

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced a staggered schedule for the return of continuing students to Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) following a three-month closure. According to a statement from the GES Head of Public Relations, Daniel Fenyi, third-year students are expected to report back to campus on October 25, 2026. Second-year students will follow several weeks later, with their reporting date set for November 16, 2026. This phased reopening aims to restore academic activities while ensuring a controlled environment after a period of significant instability.

The institution was closed on August 5, 2026, following violent disturbances that disrupted campus life and led to the arrest of six individuals. The unrest included an attack on the headmaster and acts of vandalism. During the initial investigation, authorities looked into claims regarding remains allegedly found on the school grounds; however, those allegations were found to be unsubstantiated. While the campus was closed to the senior levels, first-year students have been attending classes since September 18, 2026, under supervised conditions.

Management of the school has undergone significant changes during the hiatus. The headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, has been interdicted pending the outcome of investigations into separate allegations of misconduct, including reports of sexual misconduct. An interim replacement has been appointed to manage the school’s administrative affairs and oversee the return of the student body. The GES has assured parents and the public that all necessary preparations are in place to ensure the safety of students and staff upon their return.

There are ongoing concerns regarding the academic progress of the final-year students who have lost nearly a term of instructional time. The GES and the interim school management are expected to implement measures to help students recover lost time as they prepare for their national examinations. The staggered return is intended to manage the transition back to campus life smoothly and prevent any recurrence of the security breaches that led to the initial emergency closure.