The principal of King’s Institute Mission School System (KIMSS), Thompson Q. Nyormie, Jr. has been arrested and detained after allegedly diverting national exam fees collected from students for personal use. Nyormie, a clergy, reverend, also failed to register his students for the exams, which are ongoing. As the head of a recently accredited high school located in Ganta, Nimba County, reportedly collected L$262,000 from 43 students in 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th grades, promising to register them for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). In addition to the exam fee controversy, Nyormie also demanded that graduating students pay US$160 as a graduation fee, exceeding the Ministry’s approved cap of US$100 for private and faith-based institutions—a move that further inflamed tensions at the school. However, report says, Nyormie, allegedly failed to forward the names of his students for registration, effectively preventing the students from writing the exams. Nyormie was arrested Saturday, May 16, 2025, afternoon on the order of Nimba County Education Officer (CEO) Francis Legay, after admitting to collecting the funds, but failed to register the students. WAEC exams began nearly two weeks ago for students in 3rd, 6th, and 9th grades, while 12th-grade students across the country began writing the WASSCE on Thursday, May 15. None of the 12th graders at KIMSS were able to sit the exams due to the principal’s failure to process their registration. Furious students and parents stormed the school on Friday, May 16—one day after WASSCE began—demanding answers and a refund of their money. The tense situation was later calmed by local education authorities, who promised a resolution by Monday, May 19. KIMSS operated for years as an elementary and junior high school before being upgraded to a full high school two years ago. The institution sent its first batch of 12th graders to WASSCE in 2024. The case took a significant turn after CEO Legay launched an internal probe and confirmed that Nyormie admitted diverting the exam fees for personal use. He has reportedly promised to repay the funds, but did not specify a timeline. Meanwhile, Nyormie is being held at the Ganta Police Station and is expected to face formal charges of fraud and abuse of office. The Ministry of Education is also considering administrative action “a serious breach of professional ethics.”
Education authorities say they are working with parents and students to find a path forward, including possible support for the affected students to retake the exams during the next available window.
Source: Ablee-Jay TV