GES Unveils Strict New Student Code of Conduct for Pre-Tertiary Schools

Ferdinand | EducationGhana | June 27 | GES Unveils Strict New Student Code of Conduct for Pre-Tertiary Schools

In a landmark move to strengthen discipline and academic integrity, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has released a comprehensive Code of Conduct for all pre-tertiary students. The 23-page document, obtained exclusively by The Educational Guardian, outlines stringent behavioural expectations and sanctions targeting issues from academic dishonesty to sexual misconduct and violence.

Core Mission: Discipline for National Development

The code emphasises that discipline is non-negotiable for achieving GES’s mission: “to provide inclusive, equitable quality education relevant to Ghana’s manpower needs.” * (Sec 1.1-1.2). It positions discipline as foundational for academic excellence and citizenship training, rejecting the notion that rules merely restrict freedom.

🔥 Zero-Tolerance Offences

The code identifies severe misconduct with mandatory harsh penalties:

1. Sexual Offences:

   • Total ban on student sexual relations, harassment, or “interaction in obscure places.”

   • Same-sex relationships explicitly prohibited (Sec 2.16k).

   • Rape = automatic dismissal (Sec 2.16g).

   • Pregnancy: Girls may re-enter post-childbirth under GES guidelines.

2. Examinations:

   • Skipping exams = “gross misconduct.”

   • Malpractice = exam cancellation + repetition (Sec 2.10).

3. Violence & Weapons:

   • Physical/psychological violence, bullying (including cyberbullying), or gang membership = dismissal (Sec 2.17, 2.24x).

   • Weapon possession = police report + expulsion (Sec 2.25).

⚠️ Strict Daily Conduct Rules

• Attendance: Unexcused absence = suspension/boarding withdrawal (Sec 2.5).

• Appearance:

  • No bleached skin, chains, or altered uniforms.

  • Beards “clean-shaven”; hair “modest, no extreme styles” (Sec 2.13).

• Technology: Mobile phones, laptops, USBs banned without approval (Sec 2.14).

• Property: Vandalism = 2× compensation payment (Sec 2.15).

⚖️ Graded Sanctions Framework

Sanctions prioritize reform but include “deterring measures” for repeat offenders (Sec 3.3).

💬 Stakeholder Reactions

Education analysts praise the Code’s clarity but urge caution:

“While structure is needed, enforcing bans on same-sex relationships and personal gadgets requires sensitivity to student rights,” says Kofi Mensah, Accra-based child advocate.

The GES maintains these rules “create conditions for effective teaching” and mold “responsible community members” (Sec 1.4).

📌 The Bottom Line:

This Code marks Ghana’s toughest stance on school discipline yet. With sanctions ranging from manual labor to expulsion, it signals GES’s intent to curb misconduct decisively. Students, parents, and schools must now align – or face severe consequences.

👉 Download Full Code of Conduct Here Stay informed with The Educational Guardian for ongoing policy analysis.