The Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked the Ghana Education Service (GES) to reverse its decision to sack eight students of the Chiana Senior High School. 

According to them, the decision is “backward and criminal” and cannot be allowed to hold. 

In a press release issued on Thursday, January 12, and signed by the National Youth Organiser of the party, Mr George Opare Addo, they alleged that the Director-General of GES is trying to appease President Akufo-Addo.

“The decision by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to sack the eight students of the Chiana Senior High School for purportedly insulting the President in both backward and criminal. 

“There is no crass action higher than this silly act of trying to appease the President. For what it is worth, the President is no god that must be appeased for being insulted,” excerpts of the statement said. 

The youth wing have thus asked the GES to find alternative punishment for the students. 

“The Chiana 8 must be allowed to continue their education and alternative discipline meted out to them. No one must be punished with such punitive actions for daring to speak up however inconvenient it is to us,” the statement added. 

Earlier today, the Ghana Education Service (GES) dismissed eight students of the Chiana Senior High School in the Upper East Region for allegedly insulting President Akufo-Addo.

Prior to the dismissal, the students had been on suspension.

The GES says its investigation into the incident confirmed that the students used unsavoury language against the President in a viral video.

It thus described the actions of the students as “very undesirable, and contrary to the acceptable standards of the conduct generally required of any student in Ghana’s educational system”.

Prior to the dismissal of the students, the GES had earlier apologised to the President over the said conduct.

Meanhwile, reacting to the news of the dismissal, some Ghanaians have taken to social media to berate the GES over its decision.

According to the critics, the decision is simply untenable.

One of them is an advocate for children’s rights who is unenthused about the decision.

The Country Director of the International Child Development Programme, Joyce Larnyoh said the Ghana Education Service should employ more appropriate means of punishment other than dismissal.

Speaking on JoyNews’ News Desk, Mrs Larnyoh reiterated that no child should be denied the right to education no matter the circumstance.

Others have however backed the move; arguing that it will help instill discipline amongst students, especially at the Senior High School level.

The affected students have since apologised for their actions.