The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has issued a stern ultimatum to the Ghana Education Service (GES), demanding immediate reforms to tackle increasing violence and indiscipline in schools.
The association is calling for the announcement of tough disciplinary powers by May 31, 2025, or it will be forced to take unspecified action to protect teachers.
In a statement, NAGRAT detailed alarming incidents of student attacks on teachers and the presence of weapons such as guns and machetes in schools.
The association said the school environment is becoming increasingly unsafe, not only for teachers but also for students who are serious about learning.
Citing examples, NAGRAT mentioned Mr. Walter Yesotor Adanunyo of Christian Methodist High School, who was attacked for preventing students from cheating during exams, and Mr. Ebenezer Kateya of Accra High School, who was assaulted for enforcing dress code rules. The group also referenced a student at OKESS who was recently caught with a firearm.
NAGRAT attributed the rise in violence to several key issues:
* Admission of students who failed the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)
* Political interference in school disciplinary processes
* The inability of school authorities to repeat underperforming students
* Bureaucratic challenges in removing disruptive students
“The situation is deteriorating fast. If not addressed, we fear we will soon hear of deaths, rape, and extreme violence in our schools,” the statement warned.
To combat the crisis, NAGRAT’s National Council is demanding the implementation of the following measures:
1. A public directive from the GES Director-General empowering school authorities to immediately dismiss any student who assaults a teacher or staff member.
2. Automatic dismissal of any student found in possession of a weapon.
3. Authority for school heads to repeat students who fail to meet academic standards, without needing approval from higher authorities.
NAGRAT gave the GES until May 31, 2025 to announce these measures. Failure to do so will trigger a series of actions by the union aimed at ensuring teacher safety in schools.
read also
Muntaka: I’ll get rid of all beggars, prostitutes from our streets