GES to reinstate all interdicted SHS heads over national prospectus

The management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) after further consultation has decided to reinstate all interdicted headteachers of Senior High Schools by the end of this week, an individual familiar with the matter has said.

The resolution follows a closed-door meeting between the GES leadership, representatives from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), and the Conference of Assisted Heads of Senior High Schools (CHASS) in Accra.

The General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah, who disclosed the new development in an interview with Accra 100.5FM commended the Service for its collaborative approach in addressing the concerns raised by GNAT and CHASS.

“This development suggests a positive outcome from the discussions, signalling the imminent reinstatement of the interdicted Senior High School heads,” the member of the Teacher Union told the Accra-based radio station.

The eleven interdicted headteachers are Mrs. Selina Anane Afoakwa, Headmistress of Kumasi Girls SHS; Mr Nathaniel Asamoah, Headmaster of Asanteman SHS; Mr Andrews Boateng, Headmaster of Kumasi Senior High Technical School; and Mr Kwadwo Obeng-Appiah, Headmaster of Manso-Edubia Senior High School.

The others include Mr Daniel Boamah Duku, Headmaster of Agric Nzema Community SHS; Ms Gladys Sarfowah, Headmistress of Nkawie Senior High Technical School; and Mr Ampong Ahmed Omar, Headmaster of Collins SHS.

The Service interdicted these headteachers for imposing various unapproved fees, including house dues, books, calculators, admission process fees, and charges for printing slips, files, and hymn books on first-year SHS students.

GES following allegations levelled against them established a committee to investigate the cases of the headteachers of Senior High Schools interdicted for allegedly charging first-year students of their school illegal admission fees.

The Ashanti Regional spokesperson for GES under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Henry Osei Boateng in an interview monitored by Thisterm.com said the committee has been mandated to investigate the alleged wrongdoing.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) emphasized that headteachers found guilty of the unauthorized fee charging allegations levelled against them will face sanctions as stipulated in the Ghana Education Service Code of Conduct.

“At the moment there is a committee to investigate the reports, and therefore, individuals were not asked about whether they are guilty or not. Because that is the work of the committee.

We will deal with a code of conduct of Ghana Education Service and within the code of conduct, there are sanctions for certain offences. So if individuals are found culpable then it means the sanctions appropriate will be matted to them,” he said.

According to Mr Boateng, the management of the Education Service is willing to aid Senior High School headteachers encountering resource challenges to avert any reoccurrence. He has asked headteachers to alert the GES if need be.

“This is the admission process. We want them to admit the students and then talk about the challenges that they face with authorities. So that, the solution will be provided,” the Ashanti Regional spokesman for the Service told JoyNew