4 head teachers cautioned for allowing pupils to join NPP demo

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has cautioned four head teachers who allowed their pupils to take part in the ‘Wongbo’ demonstration organised by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) last Wednesday.

According to Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary, the four headteachers admitted guilt and apologised after being queried, but the GES was looking “into the matter so that full disciplinary action will be carried out.”

The four heads are Ernestina Ofori Atta of Liberty Avenue 1 and 4 primary; Robert Amankra, Liberty Avenue 3 primary; Christiana Hanson Nortey, Mantse Tackie 1 primary; and Lucy Kanyaguay Adego of the Ernest Brew Memorial Basic School.

Speaking to Accra-based Radio Gold, Mr Ablakwa said: “We are doing this not because we want to victimise anybody, but we want to ensure that all policy and guidelines are respected by all, that our children are safe and are protected. The head teachers themselves admit that what went on was totally unacceptable.”

The apology letter of the four read in part: “We wish to render our sincere apology for our inability to prevent some pupils and students in our various schools in responding to slogans from the demonstrators.

"This unfortunate situation occurred when the pupils and students were on break. We promise that next time if there is any such demonstrations we will ensure that the children are kept in their classrooms."