Deputy Education Minister Dr Clement Apaak has expressed his discontent with how the authorities at Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School (BOGISS) poorly handled the case of the sexual assault of a student with special needs.

The 14-year-old student was allegedly sexually assaulted by two watchmen. According to the GES, preliminary information indicates that the student is on medication and had reportedly suffered a relapse on the day of the incident.

The Service said the student required medical attention at the time, and it was during this period that culprits allegedly assaulted her.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, Dr Apaak slammed the school authorities for their delay in taking action when the case first came to their attention instead of waiting for it to attract public attention.

“The student's parents rejected the school's letter and the disciplinary decision in it. They disagreed with the punishment the school imposed and the actions it took afterwards. We, the government, agree with the parents because we are supposed to be promoting inclusive education (sic),” he said.

A letter issued by the school indicated that dismissal would ordinarily have been the appropriate sanction. However, the punishment was reportedly reduced to deboarding because of the student’s medical condition.

Dr Apaak said the government disagrees with that approach, arguing that the student’s medical condition should not be used to justify what he considers an inappropriate disciplinary response.

He said the decision was also inconsistent with the government’s efforts to promote special needs and inclusive education, stressing that students with disabilities or medical conditions must be adequately protected and supported within schools.

Dr Apaak maintained that the response by the school and education authorities was “badly and poorly handled.”

Dr Apaak assured the public that the Education Ministry is treating the matter with seriousness, adding that Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu had tasked him with following up on the case as part of his official duties.

He said the Ministry would engage the relevant authorities to establish what happened and determine how the case was handled.