Africa Education Watch has condemned what it termed use of students for economic or domestic activity by teachers, especially where that activity affects health or interferes with instructional and learning hours in and out of school.
This followed the drowning of some Junior High School Students of St Charles Lwanga R/C Junior High School in the Saboba District of the Northern Region.
In a statement released to the media on Sunday November 14, 2021, Eduwatch said “It is unconscionable that just one school day before the commencement of this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), a head teacher would mobilize 30 students, including BECE Candidates from his school to work on his farm in a rural community where students already have limited time in class due to among others, the challenges in walking long distances to and from school”.
It also commended the swift action of the GES and the Ghana Police Service to enforce existing rules and the law.
“We recognize that the GES’ Code of Conduct frowns on the use of students/pupils for work, including selling, weeding, farming, carrying of water, sand, stones and blocks, or doing household chores etc., by its staff, with or without the consent of their parents”.
Eduwatch called for the setting up and publishing of complaint phone lines at all GES Offices to enable parents report offending staff for punitive action.
“We urge the GES to provide the necessary psychological and other support to the affected parents and families.
“Our sincere condolences to the grieving families for their immeasurable losses suffered”.
Full statement below
