Child Right International (CRI) has joined numerous calls by the public for Ghana Education Service (GES) to review the dismissal of the eight Chiana SHS students for insulting President Akufo-Addo.

According to the organisation, dismissal of the students denies them the right to education which every child is entitled to by law.

In a press release signed by the Executive Director, Bright Kweku Appiah, the CRI said the behaviour exhibited by the students must be subjected to correction and rehabilitation.

“Educational and moral principles are not subjects of dismissal that further deny children their right to education, on the contrary, such behaviours exhibited must be subjected to correctional and rehabilitation programmes to ensure and uphold the best interest of the child in all matters involving children and their education,” parts of the statement read.

Child Rights International added that the decision will suppress the role of the education service which is to protect the interest of the children.

They further demanded that GES makes public the findings from the investigations.

“CRI, therefore, hinges on the above statements to call on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to publish the findings of their investigations to the general public as stated in their earlier press release, highlighting the concerns of due processes followed in arriving at the conclusion of dismissal vis-a-vis the best interest of the child as enshrined in the Children’s Act (560),” the statement added.

GES on Thursday 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. 

Consequently, the said students have apologised for their misconduct and appealed for the reversal of their dismissal.