GES asked to give teachers the power to expel students for fighting
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The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has urged the Ghana Education Service under the auspices of the Ministry of Education to permit teachers to expel students reported to be engaged in fighting on campus.
President of NAGRAT, Angel Carbonu speaking to Citi News said school authorities if allowed to enforce discipline effectively in their various schools will help prevent unruly behaviours put on by some of the students.
Citing the influence of certain groups who, in their advocacy for human rights, have curtailed teachers’ ability to maintain order he said “Teachers are often accused of infringing on human rights when they try to enforce rules.”
The pre-tertiary teacher union President also pointed out that some financial Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) contribute to the problem by imposing regulations that don’t align with the realities of the local environment.
Mr Angel Carbonu argued that the current approach, which discourages strict disciplinary measures, is fostering an environment where students increasingly exhibit unruly behaviour.
The NAGRAT leader advocated for restoring the authority of teachers to enforce discipline, including the power to expel students who disrupt the learning environment.
“In the past, if a student fought, they were dismissed from school, and everyone knew the rules before they enrolled,” Mr. Carbonu explained.
He added that dismissal did not close the door to education, as dismissed students could be readmitted to another school after signing a bond of good behaviour.
Mr Carbonu stressed the need for a system that ensures discipline saying “The supervisor needs to have the authority to command and to implement the supervisory role.
“The supervisors and in this case the teachers need to have the power to isolate from the generality anyone whose presence is causing discomfort for the majority.
When I was in Pope John’s Secondary School when you run away to town without permission, immediately you are de-boardinised
When I was in school and you fight, you will be dismissed and this one there was no Ghana Education Service and you know these rules before you enter the school and if you want to remain in that school, you don’t have the choice but to conform with the rules of the school,” he told the Accra-based station.
The National Association of Graduate Teachers member added “…It is a system that you need to create, there are some children that without experiencing the heat of law, would never conform. They will never, never conform.”