Parliament urges School Heads to enforce mobile phone ban on students in SHS as per the GES policy

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Education has instructed heads of Senior High Schools to implement with strict compliance under the Ghana Education Service (GES) policy and code of conduct particularly relating to the use of Mobile phones by students on their campuses and other form of unacceptable students behaviors.

The use of mobile phones in the various Senior High Schools by students ,as per the GES to most school authorities, causes considerable disturbances to students focus and a common challenge that schools frequently encounter.

This was observed during a recent visit to some selected Senior High Schools in the central Region by the parliamentary select committee on Education. 

A primary concern for the two day monitoring exercise to the selected Senior High Schools by the committee was to assess the situation directly to identify progress and challenges the schools face on a daily basis.

They also reviewed, validated and analyzed data in the area of infrastructural deficit, abandoned projects, academic situation and the effects of double-track school system on educational institutions.

The transition process towards the single-track system was also looked at.

The committee commenced its proceedings by consulting with the Central Regional Minister , Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, at the regional office who informed them about specific issues the committee should consider in their monitoring activities especially feeding. 

The schools visited include the Holy Child S.H.S, Ghana National College, Adisadel College, Efutu Senior High, Aburaman Senior High and Aggrey Memorial. 

Apart from the many abandoned school infrastructural projects which was a major concern from all schools visited, others include lack of sufficient teaching and non-teaching staff to match the increasing student enrollment and associated discipline problems. The use of mobile phones by the students in the schools is a major issue. As per the authorities,apart from the distractions, it is use to invite friends particularly the opposite sex for unacceptable behavior on school premises.

Mr. Peter Nortsu Kortoe, the Chairman of the Committee who is also the MP for Akatsi North,pointed out the need for the uncompleted projects to be completed as soon as possible. 

The Ranking member on the Committee, Mr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, was impressed about the academic performance of most of the schools and instructed the authorities to enforce the GES policy and code of conduct. He again encouraged school authorities to implement strict rules on mobile phone usage in school since it’s against GES policy.

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