Concerned Teacher Petitions Education Minister for Urgent Security Measures in Senior High Schools
A concerned Ghanaian teacher, Ɔpanyin Kwadwo Wireko, has submitted a passionate petition to the Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, calling for immediate and comprehensive security protection for Senior High School (SHS) teachers across the country.
In the petition, the teacher expressed grave worry over what he describes as a growing threat to the safety of SHS teachers, citing recent violent attacks by students in various schools. He urged the Education Minister to engage the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and Parliament to address the rising insecurity by assigning personal police protection to every SHS teacher.
According to him, teachers are increasingly becoming targets of disrespect, intimidation, and physical assault in the line of duty. “Our students in senior high schools are treating us with disrespect, fighting us; our lives are in danger,” he lamented. He referenced recent incidents, including a teacher who lost an eye after being attacked by a student, and another who was beaten at Kade Senior High School for enforcing discipline. He also cited a past case at Accra Academy where a teacher was physically assaulted.
The petition questioned why such incidents must escalate before action is taken. “Are we safe? Our lives are in danger and no one is ready to fight for the Ghanaian teacher. We are all waiting for another student to use a knife to kill a teacher before the nation will talk,” he wrote.
He further stressed that the erosion of discipline in many Senior High Schools has emboldened students, leaving teachers vulnerable both on and off campus. According to him, some teachers fear going to town because of threats from students.
To address the situation, he called on the Minister to table the matter before Parliament and request a directive to the Ghana Police Service to provide each SHS teacher with police protection. He compared the proposed security arrangement to the personal protection offered to Members of Parliament and other high-profile individuals.
The teacher expressed confidence in the Minister’s responsiveness, recalling a previous petition that he said received a positive response and resulted in action. He concluded by expressing hope that this urgent plea for protection would also be addressed promptly.
“May God bless Ghanaian teachers! May God bless Ghana!” he concluded.
The petition, signed by Ɔpanyin Kwadwo Wireko, a former student of the University of Education, Winneba, reflects growing tensions and heightened safety concerns within Ghana’s secondary school system. Policymakers, teacher unions, and the Ghana Education Service are expected to take interest in the issues raised as discussions on teacher welfare and school discipline continue to intensify nationwide.
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