Education expert calls for tighter teacher ethics training
Dr Kofi Ashiboe-Mensah, Country Director of Exams Ethics Marshalls, has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to intensify continuous professional development and training on the Service’s Code of Ethics to help teachers uphold strict professional boundaries.
His appeal comes amid growing public concern over recent cases of sexual misconduct involving teachers and female students, which triggered swift suspensions and investigations by GES following the circulation of viral videos.
Speaking on Focus on Zed FM, Dr Ashiboe-Mensah condemned the inappropriate actions of the teachers involved but cautioned against placing sole blame on them.
He highlighted that rising student indiscipline plays a significant role in these incidents, indicating that the issue is complex and requires a multifaceted response.
“If a teacher is employed in a school or is part of a GES-employed group of teachers, they must be taken through some of these things (code of conduct). I am not too sure if the code of conduct is even being handed over to them by GES,” he noted.
To address disciplinary challenges, Dr Ashiboe-Mensah recommended reintroducing regulated corporal punishment in senior high schools, believing that combining this with strict professional boundaries could help restore discipline and respect in educational environments.
On the sensitive issue of consent in teacher-student relationships, he acknowledged that any consent given by students is likely compromised due to the inherent power imbalance.
He questioned the circumstances under which the viral videos were recorded and shared, calling for clarity on whether their release was intentional or accidental.
Dr Ashiboe-Mensah advocated for a comprehensive investigation that examines not only the teacher’s conduct but also the backgrounds and home environments of both the students and teachers involved.
He also warned that suspending teachers alone is insufficient and emphasised the need for wider school and societal interventions.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Dr Ashiboe-Mensah called for active involvement of parents, teachers and students to address the root causes of misconduct and promote a safer, respectful educational atmosphere.
