GES Dismisses Claims That Student Misconduct Goes Unpunished, Reaffirms Commitment to School Discipline

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that students are no longer punished for misconduct and that repetition has been abolished in schools, describing the assertions as inaccurate and misleading.

In a statement, GES clarified that disciplinary measures remain in force across schools and are applied in line with the Service’s Code of Conduct, school regulations, and existing education policies.

The Service acknowledged that indiscipline, particularly in senior high schools, remains a growing concern but stressed that students found guilty of misconduct continue to face appropriate sanctions through established disciplinary procedures.

To support its position, GES cited several disciplinary actions taken in 2025. These included the withdrawal of students involved in the assault of a teacher at Accra High School, the withdrawal of students who fought during an inter-school sports competition at Swedru School of Business, and the prosecution and sentencing of Kade SHS students who assaulted a teacher during the 2025 WASSCE examinations.

According to GES, other disciplinary measures implemented in various schools have included indefinite suspensions, deboarding, court-imposed fines, and jail terms where necessary.

The Service also rejected claims that class repetition no longer exists, explaining that schools can request approval for students to repeat based on academic performance. It noted that five final-year students of Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary repeated Form Three during the 2025/2026 academic year, while Opoku Ware Senior High School has also requested approval for some students to repeat.

To further strengthen discipline in schools, GES announced that the Ministry of Education will organise a national stakeholders’ conference involving faith-based organisations and civil society groups to identify practical solutions to indiscipline. Additionally, GES has constituted a committee to review its current Code of Conduct to ensure it effectively promotes discipline in schools.

The Service assured parents, guardians, and the public that it remains committed to producing students who are academically competent and possess good character, adding that disciplinary standards in schools have not been compromised.