The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has charged the management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to deal ruthlessly and decisively with any student or teacher who lives below accepted declared standards.
“I have indicated to the director-general of the GES that they have the full authority of the state to discipline any person, either student or teacher, who goes against the standards to ensure a high level of discipline in schools,” he stressed.
Mr Iddrisu, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tamale South Constituency, was speaking during a grand durbar to climax the 65th anniversary celebration of the Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School (SHS) in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region last Saturday.
His comments came in the wake of the recent removal from office of the Assistant Headmaster in charge of Academic of the KNUST SHS, Charles A. Aidoo, following the circulation of a video on social media allegedly showing him in a compromising position with a female student.
The students
Also, a teacher at the Okadjakrom Senior High Technical School, Mfo Richard Tibetor, has been interdicted by the GES following the circulation of a video allegedly showing him in an act of sexual misconduct with a female student.
“When you wake up and you hear that a student in the region has access to a gun or knife while in school, that is not Ghanaian, and unacceptable in our society,” he stated at the ceremony, which was on the theme: “65 years of excellent education: Honouring the past, inspiring the future”.
Mr Iddrisu warned that the ministry and the GES would deal ruthlessly and decisively with such students; other than that, “we risk that they will poison genuine, law-abiding and disciplined students”.
Academic dishonesty
The Minister of Education expressed concern about growing indiscipline associated with academic dishonesty and integrity due to a worrying phenomenon where phone-related examination cheating was becoming a practice in schools during the conduct of examinations.
While reiterating that the use of mobile phones in educational institutions remained restricted and banned, he urged parents to support school authorities in enforcing it.
Mr Iddrisu announced that the Ghana Education Trust fund (GETFund) had approved the construction of a new dormitory for the school and further promised that by the first quarter of 2026, the school would receive a brand new 66-seater bus.
AI conference
He said the innovation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) would necessarily affect teaching and learning. He hinted that in the first quarter of 2026, Ghana would hold an international conference on the impact of AI on the provision of quality education.
By doing so, he said it would enable the country to assess its disruptive effect in providing quality education to students.
In an address on his behalf, former President John Agyekum Kufuor encouraged the students to pursue excellence in their endeavours and let their curiosity and determination guide them to contribute to the nation’s growth.
“Remember that your potential is limitless. Embrace every opportunity to learn, lead and make a positive difference in the world,” he said.
He donated GH¢50,000 to support the construction of a science laboratory project in the school.
65th legacy project
The Global President, Yaa Asantewaa Old Girls Association (YAOGA), Awura Ama Atta Gyamf-Boateng, enumerated several projects and interventions undertaken by some past students and various year groups towards the growth of their alma mater.
She disclosed that the old students had begun the process to construct a modern science laboratory valued at GH¢2.59 million as part of their 65th anniversary legacy project and,therefore, appealed for support towards its execution.
Tribute
The Headmistress of the school, Felicia Asamoah Danquah, paid glowing tribute to the former leadership of the school for laying a firm foundation upon which had sustained the school till date.
She commended the past students for their immense contributions and support in infrastructure, which continues to improve teaching and learning.
Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh
