Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu on Monday, September 15, 2025, visited the Zebilla Senior High School in the Bawku enclave to monitor the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
As part of security measures due to the Bawku conflict, the Minister was offered a bulletproof jacket but declined to wear it, stressing that such items have no place in an academic environment.
Speaking to the press, Mr. Iddrisu explained that his decision was deliberate and symbolic.
The Minister noted that accepting the jacket would have raised unnecessary anxiety among students.
Instead, he emphasized the need to preserve schools as safe spaces for learning.
“When I arrived at the home of the regional minister, I know what I’m coming to say will send some ripples somewhere. I was given a bulletproof jacket to wear. Did you hear that? When I arrived, I’m sure my bodyguard is wearing it somewhere. I was given a bulletproof jacket to wear. I declined to wear it, not because I don’t value or cherish my life, because I value yours too, but more importantly, it was to send a signal that bulletproof doesn’t belong to an academic learning environment.
It does not. Today, tomorrow, and forever, we should not encourage even the mere presence of police and military on this learning environment is wrong enough. It does not provide for a conducive learning atmosphere and environment that you need to thrive in your studies. So now you’ve seen the second reason why I declined wearing the bulletproof, because you all would have been asking where is mine and what happens next,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Iddrisu extended President John Dramani Mahama’s best wishes to the candidates and encouraged them to stay focused as they sit for their final exams.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
