Main opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), has strongly criticised the use of students to welcome Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to the North East Region, denouncing it as exploitative.
In a statement, the NDC condemned the exploitation of valuable learning time for political purposes, asserting that such actions should be condemned by all educators in the country.
Dr. Bawumia, who is also the presidential candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), embarked on a campaign tour in the North East Region on Monday.
Upon his arrival in Walewale, he was greeted by supporters, including senior high school students dressed in their school uniforms.
However, the NDC argued that involving schoolchildren during school hours was inappropriate, as Dr. Bawumia’s visit was political rather than official.
The NDC’s Walewale Constituency Communications Officer accused the NPP of pressuring headteachers to assemble students along the streets of Walewale to welcome their flagbearer.
“It is deeply concerning that headteachers are coerced into diverting students from their classrooms to serve as cheerleaders for political campaigns. Parents entrust their children to schools with the expectation that they will receive quality education, not be used as political pawns,” he said.
He urged the leadership to join in condemning the use of students as political party cheerleaders, noting that “schools are meant to be sanctuaries of learning, not platforms for political theatrics.”
The NDC Communication Officer added that “it is unjustifiable to sacrifice the educational development of students for the political agenda of the Vice President, H.E. Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia.”