Unprofessional Conduct by Teachers Will Be Dealt With – GES Council

The Ghana Education Service (GES) Council has warned teachers to desist from publicizing the wrongful acts of their pupils on social media else they stand to be punished if caught.

Mr Michael Nsowah, the Council Chairman, who described the act as unprofessional and uncalled for, stated that steps were being taken to deal with those involved.

Speaking to a congregation at the Jackson College of Education in Kumasi on Saturday under the theme: “Enhancing the Quality of Education in Private Higher Institutions in Ghana”, he said the trend if not checked could demoralize and also wane the confidence of up and coming learners as they sought to build their educational careers.

“The attention of the Council has been drawn to such unprofessional conduct by some teachers in recent times, and we think this is uncalled for. We are, therefore, taking the necessary steps to punish those involved in such practices,” he said.

In another development, Mr Nsowah said it had become imperative for Ghanaian teachers, especially those in public schools, to continue to further their education at the highest level in order to be relevant for today’s educational demands.

He hinted that the GES was embarking on reforms to ensure that all teachers serving at the basic level had at least a first degree before they could be allowed to teach in the classroom.

The Council Chairman lauded Mrs Theodosia Wilhemina Jackson, Principal of the College for her vision in establishing the College, an affiliate of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), as it had contributed immensely to developing the professional skills of teachers.

Mrs. Jackson advised the teachers to uphold the ethics of their profession and always demonstrate a high level of discipline and integrity to help maintain the good image of the profession.

The College, she said, would not relent in introducing innovative academic programmes to expand the scope of knowledge of teacher trainees to augment the nation’s educational growth.

A total of 1,393 teachers were awarded a Diploma in Basic Education after completing their courses through the distance education mode.

The number of teachers produced by the College since 2009 is 10,300 and majority of the graduates serve in the nation’s deprived and rural areas.