The Ghana Education Service (GES) must publish the findings of its investigation into the conduct of the 8 students who have since been dismissed for insulting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
CRI recounted that on the 14th of November, 2022, the GES released a statement titled “Viral Video of Chiana SHS students’ misconduct” with the reference number GES/PR/RELEASE/84 signed by the Head of Public Relations Cassandra Twum Ampofo. In this press release GES vowed that ‘Management of the school has begun investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding such unfortunate utterances and gestures. Parents of the students have also been invited to assist in the investigations.’ The press release issued by the GES further states that: “We wish to also assure the general public that the outcome of the investigations will be made known as soon as it is concluded”
Press Release- Dismissal of Chiana students
In a statement issued on Thursday January 12 2023 reacting to teh sacking if the sts8dnets, CRI said “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)1998.”
It added “CRI stands by the belief that “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. The conduct of the state has always expressed interest in protecting children rather than victimizing them.”
The GES on Wednesday announced the sacking of the 8 students of the Chiana Senior High School in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region who insulted President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
A letter to the parents of one of the students explained that her conduct was “considered very undesirable and contrary to the acceptable standards of conduct generally required of any student in our Educational system in Ghana.”
The GES admonished the students to use the dismissal as “a major turning point in her life to bring the desired change in her behaviour and attitude towards life.”
Earlier, the GES apologized to the President on behalf of the school and the students.
“Management of the GES wishes to extend our sincere apology to the President and the general public on behalf of the students and the school,” the GES said in a statement released on Monday November 14.
The GES described the act as “unfortunate”, adding that it is “against every educational and moral principle of our society.”
