The students of St. John Bosco College of Education, Navrongo, in the Upper East Region of Ghana, convened a press conference on March 15, 2025, to voice their growing concerns over persistent challenges impacting their academic pursuits. Spokesperson Mr. Gabriel Appiah articulated the students’ frustrations, highlighting a range of issues that have plagued their four-year tenure at the institution. He framed these challenges as an unavoidable aspect of student life, yet emphasized the need for effective solutions to prevent them from hindering academic progress. The core issues revolved around access to the Student Information Portal, discrepancies in course information, mismatched results, incorrect bio-data, and a lack of transparency in the publication of academic results.
A significant concern raised by Mr. Appiah was the inability of a substantial number of students, approximately 76, to access their online portals. These portals, established during the second semester of their final year, were intended to serve as repositories for student data and academic records, including examination results. This inaccessibility has left a significant portion of the student body unable to track their academic progress and verify the accuracy of their recorded information. The students expressed their worry about the potential repercussions of this technical glitch on their academic standing and future prospects.
Further compounding the issue of portal access were discrepancies discovered in the information displayed within the system. Mr. Appiah detailed instances of mismatched results, where students found inconsistencies between their actual performance and the grades recorded on the portal. This issue raised concerns about the accuracy of the data being maintained by the institution and the potential for errors to negatively impact students’ final academic records. Adding to this concern were inaccuracies in students’ bio-data, including errors in names, dates of birth, gender, and even the programs in which they were enrolled. These seemingly minor errors carried significant weight for the students, who worried about the implications of inaccurate information appearing on their official certificates. Mr. Appiah poignantly illustrated the absurdity of a male student receiving a certificate indicating a female gender, highlighting the potential damage to credibility and professional prospects.
Beyond the issues related to the online portal, Mr. Appiah also highlighted the college’s failure to publish results on the school notice board, particularly in cases where students had reportedly failed certain courses. This lack of transparency created an environment of uncertainty and anxiety among the students, leaving them without official confirmation of their academic standing. Mr. Appiah questioned the practice of informing students of failure without providing access to their actual results, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in academic processes. He stressed the need for students to have access to their performance data to understand their strengths and weaknesses and to seek appropriate support if needed.
Mr. Appiah underscored that the student body’s intention was not to undermine the institution’s efforts but rather to advocate for lasting solutions to the recurring problems surrounding academic records and results. He emphasized the students’ commitment to their education and their desire to see the college address these concerns effectively. He explained that several attempts had been made to engage with the college management to resolve these issues, but despite repeated assurances, no concrete action had been taken. This lack of responsiveness from the administration prompted the students to take their grievances public, hoping to draw attention to their plight and compel the authorities to take appropriate action.
In their appeal for intervention, the students called on influential stakeholders within the Ghanaian education system, including the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Education, and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission. They urged these bodies to intervene and facilitate a resolution to the ongoing challenges, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of their academic records and providing a transparent and accountable system for the management of student information. The students’ plea reflects their desire for a conducive learning environment where they can focus on their studies without the added burden of administrative inconsistencies and uncertainties about their academic standing. The press conference served as a platform to amplify their voices and advocate for their right to a quality education.
