The tragic death of a Form Three student of Islamic Senior High School (ISHS) in Kumasi has sparked renewed calls for stronger safety measures and improved student support systems across second-cycle institutions.
The student, identified as Abass, fell from the top floor of the school’s administration block on Tuesday, 18 November 2025. Staff and students who witnessed the incident rushed to assist, and he was quickly transported to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He has since been buried according to Islamic tradition.
The loss has left the school community deeply shaken, with many questioning whether more proactive safety and wellbeing structures might have prevented the tragedy. Although school authorities state they were unaware of any concerns regarding the student’s emotional state, some relatives and peers say he had occasionally expressed worrying thoughts that were not recognised as signs of distress.
Child-welfare advocates say this incident highlights gaps that must be urgently addressed in Ghana’s school environments. These include:
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Better mental health awareness training for teachers and student leaders to help them identify when a young person may be struggling.
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Accessible reporting and counselling systems that make it easier for students to seek help or speak up when they notice a friend in distress.
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Improved physical safety measures such as secure railings, restricted access to high-risk areas, and regular safety audits of school buildings.
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Stronger collaboration between schools, parents, and health professionals to monitor student wellbeing more closely.
Education stakeholders argue that as pressure on students increases—especially final-year candidates—schools must prioritize both emotional and physical safety to prevent similar tragedies.
The Ghana Education Service is being urged to strengthen guidelines on student welfare and ensure that every secondary school has a clear, active system for early intervention and safety monitoring.
As ISHS mourns the loss of one of its own, many hope the incident becomes a turning point that inspires national action to safeguard students across the country.
