By: Belinda Nketia
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the temporary closure of three senior high schools in northern Ghana following a series of violent incidents that claimed lives, injured students, and damaged property.
The affected schools include Bawku SHS, Nalerigu SHS, and Zuarungu SHS. These schools were attacked between July 20 and 26 this year, causing widespread fear and disruption to academic activities.
In a statement posted on it’s Facebook page on July 30 2025, GES extended condolences to bereaved families and assured the public of ongoing efforts to protect students and staff. Authorities are working with the Ministry of Education, WAEC, and local school leaders to ensure SHS 3 students can safely sit for the upcoming WASSCE exams. Special arrangements, including secure exam centres, are under consideration.
For SHS 1 and 2 students, alternative learning options are being explored, and counseling services are being strengthened to support trauma recovery.
GES also thanked the Ministry of the Interior for swiftly evacuating students and reaffirmed its collaboration with security agencies to maintain safety on school campuses.
Stakeholders, including community leaders and parents, are being urged to support peace and discipline within schools.
Northern Ghana has grappled with recurring violence, especially in areas like Bawku, where long-standing ethnic tensions and chieftaincy disputes have created a fragile security situation. Unfortunately, schools haven’t been spared. What should be safe spaces for learning have now become targets in conflict zones.
Just this past week, the three senior high schools cited in this release were hit by violent incidents involving gunfire, destruction of school property, and tragic loss of lives. These attacks disrupted normal academic work and forced school authorities to evacuate students under emergency conditions.
Press release below:
