NCPTA Condemns Religious Discrimination in Public Secondary Schools
The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTA) has raised strong concerns over what it describes as increasing religious discrimination in public secondary schools, warning that such practices violate the 1992 Constitution and undermine the rights of students nationwide.
The Council’s statement follows recent controversies at Wesley Girls’ Senior High School, Tema SHS and other institutions, where administrative guidelines reportedly favoured specific religious denominations, disadvantaging students from minority faiths.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, cautioned that no student should be barred from practising their chosen religion, stressing that the rights of every Ghanaian child must be upheld regardless of their faith. He further stated that the Ministry would not tolerate any infringement on students’ religious freedoms.
In its statement, the NCPTA noted that these developments contradict Articles 12, 17 and 21(1)(c) of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law, protection from discrimination and freedom of religion.
“As public entities, all schools and their administrators must uphold the supremacy of the Constitution,” the NCPTA said, adding that no institution regardless of its religious heritage has the authority to privilege one faith over another.
The Council argued that because these schools are funded by taxpayers and parents, they cannot enforce faith-based rules that disadvantage students who do not subscribe to their doctrine. It further emphasised that exemptions under Article 14(1)(e) must be applied narrowly and strictly in the genuine interest of the child—not to advance a particular denomination.
While acknowledging the historic contributions of faith-based organisations to Ghana’s education sector, the NCPTA maintained that tradition must operate within constitutional limits.
“Tolerance, respect and openness not exclusion have been the foundation of these schools’ achievements,” the Council stated.
The NCPTA urged school heads, administrators and stakeholders to uphold the constitutional rights of all students and foster an environment that protects diversity, equality and mutual respect.
