Teachers React to”Security Uniform” GES Professional Teachers’ Uniform

The uniforms look more like security officers’ uniforms, and also come close to looking like the Ghana Prisons Service Uniform.

Reactions from teachers showed mixed feelings, with many showing disapproval. While many seemed to be unhappy with it, others complained about the GES failing to consult teacher unions. Teachers while in college wore uniforms throughout their studies. Now, they are likely to be compelled to put on uniforms as shown in the pictures for the rest of their professional lives.

While GhanaEducation.org can not independently verify the claims of the GES introducing the uniforms, the GES Professional Teachers Uniform on display has Ghana Education Service written on the right top pocket of the short sleeve and Professional Teacher on the opposite.

The pictures making rounds portray a female teacher in brown khaki trousers and the short sleeve while another three are in the same top but with a skirt that touches the knees matching.

The reason behind the leak is not known, however, it is possible it was leaked to measure the reaction of the chalk fraternity at the pre-tertiary level if the uniforms are really emanating from the GES.

Some teachers reacting to the uniform raised concerns about the possibility of the GES milking teachers with the uniform and called for the materials to be sold to teachers for them to get the uniform sewed for them.

The GES is yet to officially respond to the perceived GES Professional Teachers Uniform making sounds. It is currently not clear whether the uniforms will be both teaching and non-teaching staff of the service.

Teacher unions are also yet to make any official pronouncements about the uniforms. The GES as a public service provider is among the few public service institutions without a uniform however, globally, there are very few countries that have uniforms for teachers. The Ghana police service and the Ghana Immigration Service are among the services clothed in uniforms in Ghana.

The GES has not been enthused about female teachers wearing trousers to work. However, the uniforms making rounds include a short sleeves and a trouser for female teachers. It is not clear if the GES is now going to permit female teachers to wear trousers(uniforms) for school yet. Again, the kind of uniform on display is worn along with specific brown or black footwear by the immigration and police service. But the teachers who wore the uniform seem to be inappropriately dressed as far as the footwear is concerned.

While private schools have uniforms for teachers in the respective school, all teachers in private and public schools are required to dress Professionally and decently.

Those in favour of uniforms for teachers argue that teachers allowed to wear their own preferred clothes within the allowed code of dress are disrupting the “professional” work environment and that the teachers look out of place, therefore; the school lands up looking disorderly. While those against have argued that teachers in uniform will not improve students’ performance either. It can make teachers feel uncomfortable because of tightness and rigidity.

The teaching profession demands to take back its old glory and respect, however, teachers hold the view that introducing a uniform will not in any way impact teaching and learning or bring back the needed respect teachers have to be accorded. Although the introduction of a uniform for teachers will promote the Teaching Brand, unity, orderliness, and make teachers easy to identify, teachers typically work alone in their respective classrooms. Introducing uniforms for teachers does not serve any practical purpose (homogeneity for its own sake is not practical). It will not add any value to teachers in any way.

If care is not taken, imposing a security uniform look-alike on teachers will rather infringe upon academic freedom, which may impact teacher morale negatively.

Instead of these uniforms, there should be a second look at the current directives on how teachers are expected to dress and improve on it. We can not have teachers and students all in uniforms.

The question is would the GES administrators also be in the same uniforms, or they are prescribing them for the teachers in the classrooms.

Officers of the Ghana Police and Immigration for example wear their uniforms irrespective of their positions and work.

Would the Director-General and his administrators also wear the same uniform to work on a daily basis just as their teachers in the classrooms? If the answer is no, then do not cage teachers with these security uniforms.

READ:- Breaking! How Teacher Raped 13 Girls, Impregnated 8 and got a death sentence

The bottom line, however, is that teachers and students are not equals on campus. Their roles are completely different. What’s good for students is not necessarily also good when applied to teachers. Students are still learning discipline and the expectations of being an adult in our society.

Teachers are adults and professional practitioners of a discipline whose personal autonomy and judgment should be respected unless there are genuine health/safety concerns, and professional rules take care of that.

If the GES thinks teachers’ current way of dressing for school is setting a bad example and that teachers are losing respect by dressing sloppily, a security look-alike uniform is not the way to go. What teachers were doe not in any way determine what they think, improve on the current rules on dressing inspire teachers to adapt. Trust me, Ghanaian teachers in security like uniforms would not improve the quality of education at the Pre-tertiary level.