The Ghana Education Service (GES) has constituted a committee to review its Code of Conduct governing student discipline in schools as concerns grow over incidents of violence in some Senior High Schools across the country.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by GES management on Monday June 29, 2026 in response to claims by one David Boakye in an interview circulating on social media.
In the interview, he alleged that the Service no longer punishes students who engage in misconduct and that class repetition has been abolished in Ghanaian schools.
GES rejected both claims, describing them as inaccurate.
“The Ghana Education Service has also constituted a committee to review the current Code of Conduct to ensure it effectively promotes discipline in schools,” the statement said.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after students at Bawku Senior High School in the Upper East Region reportedly turned on teachers following the strict enforcement of rules governing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Two teachers were injured and school property was damaged.
Students allegedly vandalised school facilities, destroyed personal belongings belonging to staff, burnt motorbikes, damaged electricity meters and parts of the school’s common market, and attacked teachers for refusing to allow examination malpractice.
Four students were subsequently arrested at Bawku Senior High School for rioting, assaulting school staff and destroying school and private property. Two additional students were also arrested at Zebilla Senior High Technical School in connection with the alleged arson of a teacher’s apartment.
Security personnel were later deployed to Bawku Senior High School to restore calm and provide security for students, teachers and examination officials.
In its statement, GES acknowledged the challenge of indiscipline, describing it as “a serious menace”, particularly at the Senior High School level, while insisting that misconduct does not go unpunished.
The Service cited cases in which sanctions had been imposed, including the withdrawal of students involved in the assault of a teacher at Accra High School in 2025, the withdrawal of students at Swedru School of Business following violence during an inter school sports competition, and the prosecution and sentencing of WASSCE candidates at Kade Senior High School who assaulted a teacher over strict invigilation in October 2025.
On the issue of class repetition, GES said claims that the practice no longer exists were “equally misleading”, explaining that repetition is allowed upon request by individual schools.
It cited five final year students of Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary who repeated Form Three during the 2025/2026 academic year because of poor academic performance. It added that Opoku Ware Senior High School had also sought approval for some students to repeat on grounds of unsatisfactory performance.
The review of the Code of Conduct is among measures being pursued to address indiscipline in schools.
The Ministry of Education is expected to convene a national conference in July 2026 to engage stakeholders, including Faith Based Organisations and Civil Society Organisations, to identify practical responses to the problem.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has described student misconduct as a threat to schools, which are expected to nurture future leaders.
The developments reflect growing concern within the education sector.
“Management assures parents, guardians, and the general public that the Ghana Education Service remains committed to producing quality graduates who are not only academically competent but also possess good character and strong values,” the statement said.
“Disciplinary standards are, therefore, not compromised.”
