Gov’t considers legal backing for GES Code of Conduct – Education Minister

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, says the government is considering elevating the Ghana Education Service (GES) Code of Conduct into legislation to ensure teachers who engage in misconduct are dealt with decisively and in accordance with the law.

The move follows an incident involving two teachers at Pepease D/A Junior High School (JHS) in the Ashanti Region, who reportedly engaged in a physical fight on the school premises.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, November 10, Mr Iddrisu said the GES had been directed to investigate the incident and ensure that appropriate disciplinary action was taken against the teachers.

“Mr Speaker, on this specific matter, in many instances, government has resolved to elevate the Ghana Education Service Code of Conduct to a level of legislation to ensure that culprits are dealt with decisively and in accordance with the law,” he told Parliament.

He stressed that the GES takes incidents of unprofessional conduct among teachers seriously, particularly when they occur in the presence of students.

On the Pepease D/A JHS incident, the Minister said the Ashanti Regional Director of Education had been instructed to conduct a formal investigation and submit the findings to the Director-General of the GES.

He added that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated in line with the GES Code of Conduct and the Public Services Regulations.

“Mr Speaker, we will ensure that the GES investigates the matter and appropriate sanctions are applied,” he assured the House.