GES has made the safety and well-being of children in schools a critical priority within Ghana’s education system. Through the Safe School Project, spearheaded by the Ghana Education Service via its Guidance and Counselling Unit, the Service is underscoring the urgent need to create learning environments that protect children from violence, discrimination, and abuse, while supporting their academic and emotional development.
What Is a Safe School?
According to the Ghana Education Service, a safe school is one that operates with zero tolerance for violence, including bullying, sexual harassment, and corporal punishment. Beyond physical safety, a safe school is defined by a healthy, well-managed environment that poses no risk to learners and is responsive to the needs of all children, including persons with disabilities (PWDs).
In such schools, children are treated fairly and equally, encouraged to explore new interests such as sports, and supported to learn from their mistakes rather than being punished harshly. Teachers and school authorities model respect, fairness, and positive behaviour, helping learners understand both their rights and responsibilities.
How Safe School Environments Shape Children
A safe school environment goes beyond academic instruction. It equips children with essential life skills, enabling them to:
- Recognise and solve problems,
- Manage stress effectively,
- Exercise self-control, and
- Demonstrate emotional maturity.
When safe school principles are embedded across the curriculum, children are taught how to make responsible decisions and develop socially and emotionally, preparing them for life beyond the classroom.
Benefits of Safe Schools
The benefits of safe schools extend to learners, teachers, and society at large. In safe learning environments:
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- Children learn more than just academic subjects;
- Teachers are able to teach effectively without fear or constant conflict;
- Classrooms are well-managed, with discipline that is fair, consistent, and non-violent;
- School attendance improves; and
- Children are more likely to grow into confident, self-sufficient, and responsible adults.
What Makes a School Unsafe?
In contrast, an unsafe school is characterised by an unhealthy environment that exposes children to discrimination, neglect, and abuse. Such schools are often insensitive to the needs of learners and fail to involve or support them in developing their talents and interests.
Unsafe schools typically lack clear accountability structures to prevent violence, including bullying, sexual harassment, and corporal punishment. They may also suffer from poor infrastructure, such as unhygienic toilets and unsafe playgrounds, and fail to provide support for pupils experiencing violence or emotional difficulties.
A Shared Responsibility
The Safe School Project strongly emphasises that protecting children is a collective responsibility. Teachers, school administrators, parents, communities, and policymakers all have a role to play in ensuring that schools are places of safety, dignity, and opportunity for every child.
As Ghana continues to pursue quality education for all, the promotion of safe schools must remain central to educational policy and practice. A safe school is not a privilege, it is a fundamental right, and the foundation upon which meaningful learning and national development are built.
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