GES bans corporal punishment; Introduces new guidelines to deal with all discipline issues
corporal and inhumane punishment of students in schools
Coverghana.com.gh can confirm that, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has banned the use of corporal and inhumane punishment in schools and introduced new guidelines to deal with all discipline issues among school children.
In a letter issued by Lawyer Anthony Boateng, the Deputy Director-General (MS) of Ghana Education Service (GES) to all Regional Directors has cautioned against the continued use of corporal and inhumane punishment in schools.
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Why the ban on corporal and inhumane punishment in schools?
The Ghana Education Service (GES) initiated the Safe Schools Programme as part of efforts aimed at making pre-tertiary schools in the country safe and secured for teaching and learning.
When was the ban on corporal and inhumane punishment in schools introduced?
Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) banned the use of corporal punishment in pre-tertiary schools in February, 2017 and re-emphasized it in 2019.
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New guidelines for dealing with dealing with all discipline issues among children
Following the ban on corporal and inhumane punishment in schools, the Ghana Education Service has;
1. directed all teachers to adopt the Positive Discipline toolkit as the only measure for correcting misbehaviour of learners in schools.
2. directed teachers to apply measures spelt out in the Positive Discipline Toolkit and the Head Teachers’ Handbook (Appendix 2) in dealing with all discipline issues among children.
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Do teachers comply with the ban on corporal and inhumane punishment in schools?
According to the Ghana Education Service, it is however, regrettable to note in recent times, there has been increased reported cases of use of corporal punishment of learners who misconduct themselves. This simply means that, some teachers have totally ignored the directive to ban corporal and inhumane punishment in schools.
GES’s final caution against the use of corporal and inhumane punishment in schools
Management of the Ghana Education Service would like to use this opportunity to strongly advise against the continued use of corporal punishment in schools and entreat teachers to comply with the earlier directives.
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Sanction against use of corporal and inhumane punishment in schools
According the Deputy Director-General, Management of GES will not hesitate to apply the relevant sanctions consistent with the provisions of the revised Code of Conduct for staff of the Ghana Education Service as contained in the Collective Agreement signed by Pre-tertiary teacher Unions and GES, should this directive be ignored.
Enforcement of the Directive in schools
The Ghana Education Service has directed all Regional Directors of Education to ensure that, the ban on corporal and inhumane punishment in schools are strictly adhere to. “We count heavily on the cooperation of Directors and all other stakeholders in this respect.” GES said.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
Some headmasters and headmistresses in the senior high schools have encouraged the caning of students in school,especially in the Eastern region and the greater Accra region.