Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has revealed that he turned down a bulletproof vest offered to him during his tour of examination centres in the conflict-hit Upper East Region.

Speaking to students of Zebilla Senior High Technical School during the final week of the 2025 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), he said that safety gear has no place in academic spaces.

“I was given a bulletproof jacket to wear. I declined not because I don’t value or cherish my life, but because I value yours too. More importantly, it was to send a signal that bulletproof doesn’t belong to an academic learning environment—today, tomorrow, and forever,” Mr. Iddrisu told the candidates.

He argued that even the presence of heavy security forces in schools creates fear rather than safety, undermining the conducive atmosphere students need to learn.

Mr. Iddrisu further appealed to parents, teachers, and community leaders in the Upper East Region to work together to shield classrooms from the effects of conflict.

He emphasised that peace remains the foundation for learning and progress.

Mr. Iddrisu reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring no child is denied an education because of violence and encouraged candidates to remain confident, assuring them that the nation is proud of them.

Turning to education policy, the Minister reassured students and parents that the government will release one billion Ghana cedis next year to expand school infrastructure as part of efforts to scrap the double track system.

“I bring you best wishes from President Mahama, and be assured that under his agenda, government will invest one billion cedis to deal with expanded infrastructure so no child is denied access to education,” he said.