The Ghana Education Service (GES) says it is considering tougher punitive measures, including possible criminal prosecution, for Senior High School students who engage in serious acts of misconduct.
The Service says while parents may be held responsible in some cases, students involved in extreme acts of indiscipline, including those that result in significant damage to school property, could also be referred to the state’s criminal justice system.
Deputy Director-General of the GES, Professor Smile Dzisi, said the Service is concerned about the growing cases of indiscipline among senior high school students and is taking steps to address the situation.
She disclosed that the GES will hold a national stakeholder engagement in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital, next week to identify the causes of rising student misconduct and develop strategies to reduce the trend.
Speaking to Citi News on the sidelines of the 86th anniversary celebration of Odorgonno Senior High School, Prof. Dzisi said the Service would explore all available options to ensure students are held accountable for their actions.
She explained that although parents could be held liable in some circumstances, severe cases involving serious destruction of property and other offences may require students to face the appropriate legal processes.
“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.
Meanwhile, authorities at Odorgonno Senior High School are appealing for support to construct a new science laboratory for the school.
Currently, the school uses its dining hall as a science laboratory, a situation which has resulted in the frequent breakage of laboratory equipment and affected practical lessons.
The school is also facing challenges with the absence of a practical centre for visual arts students.
The Headmaster of Odorgonno Senior High School, Patrick Mensah, has appealed to stakeholders, organisations and individuals to support the school in addressing these infrastructure gaps.
