The Ministry of Education has announced a nationwide review of school security measures following a series of violent incidents that have left students dead and raised alarm among parents and communities.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, August 7, 2025, described the recent surge in school violence including attacks involving weapons as “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”
“We must work more closely with security agencies and law enforcement to ensure our schools remain safe spaces for learning,” he said, calling for urgent and coordinated action to address the problem.
Iddrisu also criticized the widespread reliance on untrained personnel commonly referred to as “watchmen” to guard schools.
“Even our concept of a ‘watchman’ in educational institutions needs to be revisited. Do we just pick anyone and label them school security, with no training in policing or even basic security practices?” he asked. “We need to review this so we can foster a safer school environment for both students and teachers.”
His remarks follow the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old first-year student Addib Alhassan at Kinbu Senior High School on July 31. The attack, reportedly sparked by a heated argument between classmates, ended with Alhassan being rushed to the Adabraka Polyclinic and later transferred to Ridge Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The tragedy comes on the heels of two separate shooting incidents one at Nalerigu Senior High School and another at Bawku Senior High School both involving students.
The Ministry says it will work with relevant stakeholders to establish stronger, professionally trained security systems in schools across the country.
