GES Code of Conduct for SHS Students and Parent Associations Released (Download Here)
The Ghana Education Service has released two new important codes of conduct that are directed at regulating student behaviours in Pre-tertiary schools and parent associations.
The Guidelines For The Operation Of Parent Associations In All Pre-Tertiary Schools Handbook have been described as timely by stakeholders including teachers and parents.
GES Code of Conduct for SHS Students and Parent Associations Released (Download Here)
The two Code of Conduct books are available for free download
GES Code of Conduct for SHS Students and PTAs:
DETAILS OF THE GUIDELINES
The GES Management in collaboration with relevant stakeholders present the following guidelines for the operation of PAs in all pre-tertiary schools in the country
- MEMBERSHIP OF PA
Membership of the PA shall be opened and limited to only parents/guardians of whose children/wards are in the school.
- PAs SHALL BE SCHOOL–BASED
Every PA shall be related to a specific school. The implication is that every PA must be made up of parents/guardians whose children/wards are in a specific school and the activities of that PA must be in relation to that specific school.
- MEMBERSHIP OF THE PA SHALL NOT BE EX-
OFFICIO
A member of the PA shall cease to be a member when the child/ward of that member ceases to be a student/pupil of that school. No member shall use the constitutional mandate (tenure of office) of an executive position to remain on the PA when the child/ward of that member ceases to be a student/pupil of the school. Executive Members without children or wards in their respective schools must be relieved of their positions.
- PAs SHALL BE AUTONOMOUS ASSOCIATIONS The PA shall elect its own executive officers independent of the school Management and shall operate purely as an Association opened to all parents/guardians whose wards are in the school without any interference from the school Management. The Association shall operate its own accounts as shall be determined by its members. The Association shall not use the facilities, structures, staff and students of the school in the collection of contributions from members. However, PAs shall be allowed to hold their meetings within the premises of the school at weekends but with permission from school Management. Such meetings shall not distract any official programme and or activities of the school.
- NO STUDENT SHALL BEAMEMBER OF THE PA No student shall be responsible for the actions and inactions of any member of the PA or the PA as a body. The implication is that no student shall be linked to the activities of the PA either through the school or his/her parent/guardian. By extension, no student/learner, in both basic and second cycle schools, shall be held
responsible for non-payment of any PA related dues and other contribution by students. They shall therefore not be prevented from attending or participating in any school based activities.
- STAFF OF THE SCHOOL AND PAs
The school shall not be responsible for the activities of any staff who, by virtue of being a parent, becomes a member of the Association or an executive member. Such a member or executive member shall not use his/her official relation with the school to engage in any activity on behalf of the PA. This, however, does not preclude the school authorities from providing any administrative support the Association might require in promoting the interest of the school.
- EXTERNAL (OUT OF THE SCHOOL)
RELATIONS OF THE PA
A PA may have relationship with any group or individuals of its choice outside the school as shall be decided by its members. However, such third-party relations shall have no direct interest/jurisdiction over the school to which the PA is related.
- PROJECTS OF PAs
PAs could undertake projects to support the development and growth of the schools to which they are related. On handing over of such projects to the school, Management of the school shall have full authority over such projects without interference from PAs as to how those projects
should be managed and administered. The PA might undertake income generating projects, but not on the premises of the school.
- NAMING OF PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY PAs PAs might recommend naming of projects after individuals or groups to the school Management and these recommendations shall be subjected to the procedures of GES in naming such school projects.
- SUPPORTTO TEACHERS
Pas may through the Management of the school, provide support to teachers/staff of the school to which it relates through provision of incentive packages and other welfare schemes. However, no child shall be discriminated against or given preferential treatment in the official duties of the teacher/staff to which that incentive or welfare package is related.
- ACCESS TO PA PROJECTS
No student/pupil of a school shall be denied access to any facility or structure donated to the school by the PA. Additionally, no student/pupil shall be denied access to any school activity or programme on the basis that it was funded by the PA.
- FUNDRAISING
Pas may consider all fund raising avenues to support the schools but shall not levy any student/pupil.
- INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS Aside contributions by the PA, individual parents/guardians may make donations or contributions to the school as that individual deems fit and such donation or contribution shall not confer any preference or privilege or disadvantage to any student/pupil in terms of access to and/or use of that facility or donation.
- LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY OF PAs
The school to which the PA relates shall not be responsible for any acts of commission and omission of the PA, more especially as it may relate to enforcement of a term of contract entered into by the PA in terms of default or liability of the PA and therefore the school cannot be held liable for the actions and/or inactions of the PA.
- USE OFTHE NAME OF THE SCHOOL
PAs may use the name of the school as part of its name purely for identification purposes. However, the use of the name of the school as part of the name of the PA shall not imply any legal responsibility of the school for the actions and activities of the PA.
- OFFICIAL RELATIONSHIP OF SCHOOLS TO
PAs
School Management, through its staff may relate to the PA in their official capacities and participate in their activities and programmes including updating PAs on issues relating to student performance, growth and development of school. Management of the School shall however, not be held liable for such programmes and activities of the PA. PAS may also participate in the programmes and activities of the schools and such participation shall not impose any obligations or responsibilities on the PA.
- ACCOUNTABILITY
Every PA shall operate a bank account where all funds of the Association shall be lodged. All accounts of the PAs must be subjected to periodic audit. Regional Directors of Education are to ensure that a copy of the audit report for each school is submitted to the Director-General of GES for the necessary action.
Annual activities/plans of the PAs should be submitted to the management of the school for approval and shall submit quarterly report to school Management. Though audit must be disclosed, heads of schools shall not be signatories to accounts.
Go here to Download
Code Of Conduct For Students In The Pre-Tertiary Levels Of Education In The GES
The Code Of Conduct For Students In The Pre-Tertiary Levels Of Education In The GES can be downloaded here