GES rejects claims of automatic promotion and lack of student discipline

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has dismissed claims that students who engage in misconduct in schools are no longer punished and that class repetition has been abolished.

The clarification follows comments by the Bono East Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) David Boakye in an interview circulating on social media, where he alleged that indiscipline among students has worsened because sanctions are no longer enforced and that students are automatically promoted.

According to the GES, while indiscipline remains a growing concern, especially at the senior high school level, disciplinary measures continue to be applied in schools in line with existing regulations and educational policies.

“The claims by David Boakye are inaccurate and do not reflect the reality in our schools,” the GES said in a statement issued by management on Monday, June 29.

The Service said cases of student misconduct across the country continue to attract sanctions through established disciplinary structures in schools.

It cited several incidents in 2025 to support its position.

At Accra High School, students who assaulted a teacher were withdrawn from the school.

Students involved in assault cases during an inter-school sports competition at Swedru School of Business were also withdrawn.

The GES further indicated that candidates of Kade Senior High School who assaulted a teacher during the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination over strict invigilation were reported to the police, processed before the courts and subsequently sentenced.

According to the statement, other cases of misconduct have resulted in indefinite suspensions, court fines, jail terms and the deboarding of students in accordance with disciplinary procedures.

The Service also rejected claims that repetition has been abolished in schools.

“The claim that repetition no longer exists in schools at all is equally misleading. Repetitions are done upon request by the schools,” the statement noted.

It disclosed that five final-year students of Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary repeated Form Three during the 2025/2026 academic year because of poor academic performance, while Opoku Ware Senior High School has also sought approval for some students to repeat.

The GES said school disciplinary committees remain active and their recommendations are implemented in line with existing regulations and due processes.

As part of efforts to address growing indiscipline among students, the Ministry of Education is expected to organise a national conference involving key stakeholders, including faith-based organisations and civil society groups, to identify practical solutions.

The Service also revealed that a committee has been constituted to review the current code of conduct to strengthen discipline in schools.