The Nkwanta Senior High Technical School (SHTS) has experienced a concerningly low turnout on the official reopening day for fresh Senior High School (SHS) students across the country.

Despite vast capacity, the school recorded a meagre enrolment, with only four (4) first-year students reporting to campus.

The poor attendance is directly linked to the ongoing conflict that necessitated the closure of the school in June 2025, raising serious concerns about the impact of regional instability on education in the Oti Region.

According to school management, Nkwanta SHTS currently has the infrastructure to declare approximately 700 vacancies for fresh students.

However, the computer placement system (CSSPS) secretariat allocated the school only 190 students—a figure significantly less than 30% of its capacity.

The situation worsened during the acceptance phase: a subsequent check revealed that only a little over 60 of the 190 allocated students accepted the offer to enrol in the school.

The physical arrival of just four students highlights the massive gap between potential and actual enrolment.

A visit to the school by Adom News reporter Obrempongba Owusu on Monday, October 20, confirmed the severe under-enrolment.

While few students had reported, the teaching staff showed strong dedication by being present in significant numbers to begin the academic term.

The few returning students expressed their sincere relief at resuming their education after months of being out of the classroom due to the conflict.

They mentioned having lost a lot of learning time and hoped their return would inspire their peers to come back to school.

They also played a role as peace ambassadors, urging parents to trust the current security situation and send their children back to school.

The students also appealed to parents to send their children to schools in Nkwanta South, reassuring them that the area is now peaceful.

The Headmaster of Nkwanta SHTS, Emmanuel Atimemo, acknowledged the community's lingering fear but offered firm assurances regarding the school environment.

He encouraged parents to enrol their children, emphasising the restored peace in Nkwanta South and its surroundings.

To further solidify the safety of students and encourage higher enrolment, Mr. Atimemo used the opportunity to appeal for infrastructural support from the government.

He specifically requested additional boarding facilities to accommodate students travelling from far and near.

He also requested additional boarding facilities to accommodate students travelling from far and near, ensuring their safety.

The Headmaster noted that providing such facilities would enhance student safety and promote a conducive learning environment.

The government and the Ministry of Education face the dual challenge of assuring parents of restored security while urgently addressing the deficit in essential infrastructure like boarding houses to prevent the education of hundreds of students from being permanently derailed by regional instability.