GES Limits Corporal Punishment to Headteachers to Curb Student Abuse – Deputy PRO of NCPTA
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a directive restricting the administration of corporal punishment in schools solely to headteachers.
This decision, aimed at curbing the excessive and often impulsive punishments by classroom teachers, was highlighted by Irene Sam, Deputy Public Relations Officer for the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA).
Speaking on Angel FM’s Morning Show hosted by Saddick Adams, Ms. Sam emphasized that the new directive seeks to prevent instances where teachers, frustrated by student misconduct, resort to physical punishment that sometimes causes harm.
“The concerning trend is that frustrated teachers, in response to student behavior, sometimes inflict punishment that results in physical harm. GES regulations now ensure that only heads of schools, who are not actively teaching, are authorized to administer such punishments,” she explained.
Ms. Sam elaborated on the rationale behind the measure, noting that teachers often act out of anger when disciplining students. By transferring the responsibility to headteachers, GES aims to ensure that discipline is administered calmly and objectively.
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“If a student misbehaves, teachers are instructed to refer the case to the headmaster, as it’s assumed that the teacher may not handle the situation calmly,” she added.
Beyond disciplinary matters, Ms. Sam raised an intriguing point about the possible spiritual dimensions of some student behavioral issues, suggesting that these may require unique approaches.
She further noted that the authority of school management over corporal punishment has been significantly curtailed. GES has introduced a structured code of conduct that outlines specific sanctions for various student infractions at the pre-tertiary level.
“The concern now is for school management to consistently enforce these codes and maintain discipline in schools,” she concluded.
The GES initiative represents a significant step toward safeguarding the physical and emotional well-being of students. By promoting professionally administered disciplinary measures, it aims to create a safe and orderly learning environment across Ghana’s educational institutions.
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