The Ghana Education Service (GES) says it is considering stricter disciplinary measures, including possible criminal prosecution, for senior high school students involved in serious acts of misconduct.
The Service said students found responsible for severe offences, particularly those involving the destruction of school property, could be referred to the criminal justice system, while parents may also be held liable in some cases.
Deputy Director-General of the GES, Professor Smile Dzisi, said the increasing cases of indiscipline in senior high schools have become a major concern, prompting the Service to review its disciplinary approach.
Speaking to Citi News on the sidelines of the 86th anniversary celebration of Odorgonno Senior High School, Prof. Dzisi announced that the GES will convene a national stakeholder engagement in Sunyani next week to examine the causes of rising student indiscipline and develop measures to address the problem.
According to her, the meeting will bring together key stakeholders to discuss practical solutions aimed at promoting discipline in schools.
“We are looking at all available options to ensure students are held accountable for their actions,” she said.
Prof. Dzisi warned that students found engaging in serious misconduct would face severe sanctions, adding that school staff who condone such behaviour would also be punished.
“Any student that will be caught will be severely punished. Or any staff that will be caught condoning such actions will be severely punished. It’s important to agree on the way forward,” she said.
She noted that while parents could be held responsible in certain circumstances, cases involving extensive damage to school property or other serious offences may warrant criminal prosecution.
Odorgonno SHS appeals for infrastructure support
Meanwhile, authorities at Odorgonno Senior High School have appealed for support to improve the school’s science and arts facilities.
The school currently uses its dining hall as a temporary science laboratory, a situation management says has led to frequent damage to laboratory equipment and disrupted practical science lessons.
The school is also without a dedicated practical centre for visual arts students.
Headmaster Patrick Mensah appealed to government, corporate organisations, alumni and other stakeholders to support the construction of a science laboratory and a visual arts practical centre to improve teaching and learning.
