Gov’t moves to restore order in schools amid attacks on teachers

The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has announced that the government is taking steps to reduce the growing issue of indiscipline in Senior High Schools (SHS) across Ghana.

Speaking to the media, Dr. Apaak revealed that Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has granted permission to school heads to search students, a move that was not allowed under the previous administration. This, he said, is one of many new measures introduced to deal with student misconduct.

He also noted that PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) meetings have been brought back, so that teachers and parents can work together to find better ways to discipline students. “These are just two of the many policies the government plans to implement,” Dr. Apaak explained. He added that the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has been directed to work with the GES Council to roll out urgent reforms. These reforms are based on recommendations from Ghanaians during the National Education Forum.

“What is happening in our secondary schools clearly justifies our campaign promise to review the implementation of the Free Senior High School [FSHS] Programme,” Dr. Apaak stated, promising that the government remains committed to improving and sustaining the policy.

Meanwhile, concerns from teacher unions are growing. On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) warned the GES to take immediate action against rising school violence. They said they would act if no firm steps are announced by May 31, 2025.

NAGRAT highlighted worrying cases involving guns and machetes in schools, as well as students attacking teachers. In Offinso, a student reportedly stabbed a teacher, and in Accra, a teacher got into a physical fight with students.

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) also criticised the GES and regional directors for staying silent. General Secretary Thomas Tanko Musahsaid: “We are waiting for a day that there will be an explosion in one particular school… That particular person that day we will descend into the gutters with that person.” He urged teachers who feel unsafe to withdraw their services for their own protection. “Nobody can do you anything,” he added.