By Priscilla Oye Ofori, GNA
Accra, Oct. 21, GNA – Child Rights International (CRI) has called for a comprehensive review of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Code of Conduct to strengthen child protection and safeguarding in schools.
The organisation said the revised Code should prioritise the safety, dignity, rights and best interests of children and ensure effective responses to abuse allegations.
Mr Bright Appiah, Executive Director of CRI, made the call at a press conference in Accra following persistent reports of sexual abuse in basic and senior high schools.
He said the current system raised concerns about institutional accountability and the effectiveness of reporting mechanisms where action appeared to follow only after incidents gained public attention.
“The revised Code should prioritise the safety, dignity, rights and best interests of children rather than focusing primarily on protecting the reputation or interests of educational institutions,” he said.
Mr Appiah expressed concern over delays in responding to abuse allegations.
“This recurring pattern raises serious questions about the effectiveness of existing reporting mechanisms, institutional accountability, and the commitment to safeguarding children within our educational institutions,” he said.
Mr Appiah also proposed that the GES counselling unit be elevated into an independent authority and supported by a Child Protection Oversight Mechanism.
“An independent mechanism would strengthen impartiality, improve the handling of complaints, and ensure that concerns relating to children’s safety are addressed without undue institutional influence,” he said.
Mr Appiah called for the integration of Social Welfare Officers into basic and secondary schools and stronger accountability measures to ensure abuse allegations were promptly referred to law enforcement agencies.
He said the officers would provide professional support in safeguarding, case management, referrals and follow-up.
“Their integration would strengthen the identification and management of abuse cases and ensure that appropriate child protection and safeguarding policies are implemented effectively within educational institutions,” he said.
Mr Appiah also called for stronger administrative procedures for handling complaints and disciplinary matters involving children.
“These procedures must be fair, transparent, timely, and guided by the best interests of the child. GES must ensure that allegations of abuse are not handled solely as internal administrative matters where criminal conduct may be involved, and that appropriate cases are promptly referred to the relevant law enforcement and child protection authorities,” he said.
Mr Appiah said the protection of children should not depend on viral videos, media attention or public outrage before action was taken.
“Every allegation deserves a timely and appropriate response, and every child deserves to learn in a safe and protective environment,” he said.
Mr Appiah called for a renewed national commitment to safeguarding children in educational institutions.
“Because the true measure of our education system is not only how many children it educates, but also how effectively it protects them. Every child has the right to learn without fear,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
By Priscilla Oye Ofori
[email protected]Â