CHASS urges Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu to create a dedicated police unit for senior high schools to tackle indiscipline and ensure student safety across Ghana.

Sunyani, Ghana | May 14, 2025 — The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) is urging the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, to consider the establishment of a specialized security unit within the Ghana Police Service dedicated to maintaining law and order in senior high schools across the country.

The call was made during a high-level meeting in Sunyani, where CHASS leadership expressed growing concerns about rising cases of student indiscipline, violence, and security breaches in secondary institutions.

According to CHASS, many schools currently rely on private security personnel, who lack both the training and the legal authority to enforce discipline effectively.

“Security in our schools is no longer something we can take lightly,” a CHASS spokesperson emphasized.
“We need professional support to ensure that students not only feel safe, but also understand the boundaries of discipline.”

A Growing Threat to School Safety

Recent incidents in various schools — from classroom assaults to property destruction — have spotlighted the inadequacies of current security systems. CHASS believes that the presence of trained police officers at school gates and key hotspots could deter misconduct, restore order, and build a culture of respect and accountability among students.

Their proposal includes:

• Deployment of police officers during school hours and after school events.
• Special training for officers to work in educational environments.
• Collaborative sessions between school heads and police leadership.

Government’s Response Awaited

While the Ministry of Education has acknowledged receipt of the proposal, no official response has been issued yet. However, the Education Minister is said to have expressed openness to innovative strategies that promote discipline and student safety.

This move has already sparked a broader conversation about student behavior, teacher protection, and institutional responsibility in shaping safe learning environments.