The GES has justified the stiff implementation of an existing directive that bans partisan politics in second cycle institutions across the country.
The move by the GES comes on the back of allegations that the headmaster of Tempane Senior High School in the Upper East Region, allowed a political activist, Joshua Akamba, to address students on the school’s campus.
Mr Dominic Ndegu Amolale, the Headmaster of Tempane SHS, has since been suspended.
According to the GES, the suspension is to make way for investigations into claims that he allowed Mr Akamba, a National Organiser hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), access to students.
“Management of GES condemns such acts and wishes to bring to the attention of the general public, especially, all political activists that the Ghana Education Service is a non-political state agency with the key responsibility of implementing pre-tertiary educational policy of the country and wishes to remain as such.
“Meanwhile, all Regional and District Directors of Education and Heads of SHS have been directed to ensure that all school campuses and students are not used for political activities without authorization,” the GES’ statement, signed by Head of Public Relations, Cassandra Twum Ampofo, said.
Meanwhile, former President John Mahama has condemned the GES for suspending Mr Amolale, describing the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) as intolerant of dissenting political views.
The former President holds the view that “The schools have children who are 18 years and above and they voted in our time in office.”
Long-standing directive
Justifying the intensification of the anti-partisan politics at senior high schools, Director-General of GES, Prof. Kwasi Opoku Amankwa, said the education service has only sought to intensify a directive that is expressly stated in the code of conduct of teachers in light of the recent incident at Tempane SHS.
Image: Prof. Kwasi Opoku Amankwa
“The constitution of the country enjoins anyone who wants to be part of any association or group to do so but at the same time, we also have rules and regulations where we find ourselves. When you come into the public service generally, we all know that if you are a public servant, for example, and want to do politics, at a point you have to resign your position.
“In our offices in the public service, which GES is part, irrespective of our political leanings or colouration or interest, we are not supposed to be doing politics in our classrooms or our offices,” he said on Top Story on Joy FM, on Monday.
He said senior high schools are meant for teaching and learning hence all activities must feed into these two key objectives.
Misdirected attack
Commenting on the controversy on Top Story, Vice President of National Graduate Teachers Association (NAGRAT), Jacob Anaba, told show host, Evans Mensah, that the release from the GES attacked the politician unjustly.
“If you look at the directive carefully, it is attacking the substance of the alleged statement made by the politician more than what the code says. Because the directive could have even quoted part of the code of conduct to back its powers,” he said.
Mr Anaba says the NAGRAT has also launched its own investigations into the incident, urging the GES to listen to the suspended headmaster before taking any final action.
Have your say
More News Headlines
- Gov't announces plans to avert perennial Bagre Dam spillage
- GES to introduce new curricula for next academic year
- SONA 2019: Akufo-Addo breaks silence over Menzgold saga
- SONA 2019: Akufo-Addo announces new curriculum for KG to P6
- SONA 2019: 62nd Independence Day celebrations to be held in Tamale
- SONA 2019: I'm mindful of next generation not next election – Akufo-Addo
- Aggrieved customers of Gold Coast Fund Management threaten demo
- Newspaper headlines: Thursday, February 21, 2019
- Accra gets mechanical street sweepers for heavy traffic roads
- GIJ poised to lead media research in Ghana
- Vegan bride-to-be bans meat eaters from her wedding
- Where is hot in February? The 10 best holiday destinations
- Adopt latest Agric technology to combat climate change - Legacy Crop Centre CEO
- Reject party militia of all forms - Assemblies of God's rallying call
- Retraction and apology – use of wrong image