GES Instructs Sawla SHS to Reintegrate Students Indefinitely Suspended

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has ordered the management of Sawla Senior High School in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region to reinstate over 30 students who were placed on indefinite suspension last Wednesday. This directive came after it was revealed that the school’s actions were not in line with the proper procedures for such disciplinary measures.

Anthony Kwasi Yeboah, the District Director of GES for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, spoke to JoyNews’ Isaac Nongya and clarified that the school administration lacked the authority to impose such an indefinite suspension. According to Mr. Yeboah, the headmaster and his assistant had informed the district education office about the suspension after the students had already left the school. However, upon review, he determined that the school management did not have the power to suspend the students without prior approval from the district or regional GES offices. As a result, he instructed the headmaster to immediately recall the suspended students and allow them to return to their studies.

He further stated that he would visit the school on Wednesday to meet with the management team and discuss the issue in detail, ensuring that the suspended students would be allowed to resume their academic work. “Yes, they had left the school before the headmaster and his assistant came to me and told me about the suspension. So, I told them to recall the students because they have no authority to suspend them,” Mr. Yeboah explained. This action by GES reflects the importance of adhering to established disciplinary procedures and ensuring that decisions affecting students are made with the proper authority and in consultation with the relevant educational bodies.

The suspension of the students followed an investigation conducted by a seven-member committee that looked into allegations of immoral behavior and the possession of mobile phones on the school campus. A majority of the suspended students were second-year girls. However, the suspension was carried out without informing the district or regional GES directorates, nor were the parents of the affected students notified prior to the action being taken. This raised concerns about the lack of communication and procedural transparency in the school’s decision-making process.

The controversy surrounding the suspension gained public attention after the story was reported by Myjoyonline, which sparked increased scrutiny of the school’s actions. The lack of consultation with the district or regional education offices and the absence of prior parental notification raised questions about the fairness and legality of the suspension. In response to the outcry, GES stepped in to ensure that the students’ rights were upheld, emphasizing that the suspension was not in accordance with the established disciplinary procedures and that the affected students should be allowed to return to school.

The GES’s intervention has been seen as a necessary step to protect the rights of students and ensure that disciplinary actions are carried out in a fair and transparent manner. The directive to reinstate the students also highlights the importance of following the proper channels and ensuring that all stakeholders, including parents and education authorities, are informed and involved in decisions that impact students’ education and well-being.

Looking ahead, Mr. Yeboah reassured the public that GES would continue to closely monitor the situation. He also made it clear that the management of Sawla SHS would be expected to adhere to the regulations and guidelines set by GES to prevent any future incidents of this nature. GES is committed to ensuring that disciplinary actions in schools are handled appropriately, with due process followed, and with respect for the rights of the students involved.

The incident at Sawla Senior High School serves as a reminder of the need for clear and transparent processes in managing student discipline, and the importance of ensuring that school authorities operate within the framework of regulations and with the full support of the relevant educational bodies.