MoE task GES to restore discipline in SHSs amid SDA SHS shooting
The Minister of Education, Honourable Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to put in place measures to restore discipline in various Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country.
Citing the shooting incident at the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Senior High School in Kumasi, he raised concerns about what he described as a troubling breakdown in discipline within the country’s educational institutions.
Haruna Iddrisu further noted that the GES Director-General, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, has the full backing of the government to implement necessary reforms to curb violent behavior and instill discipline in schools.
“He has our full policy support to enforce those directives. So, the ‘unGhanaian’ development of shooting in Kumasi, the Director General of the GES has the full support of the government for you to strengthen your inspection in order that guns, knives, and other violent tools are not found in our schools,” he stated.
The Education Minister’s directive follows the unfortunate incident at the SDA Senior High School after a 16-year-old male second-year student was reported to have brought a locally manufactured pistol to school and accidentally discharged it during break time, resulting in a serious eye injury to a female classmate.
The school’s administration swiftly administered first aid at the school’s infirmary, transferred the victim to the Kwadaso SDA Hospital, and subsequently to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further medical treatment.
The Suame District Police was immediately contacted, and the perpetrator was taken into custody. He was arraigned before the Akropong Juvenile Court on April 7, 2025.
A National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) finding about the shooting incident that occurred in the classroom during break time indicates that the firearm belonged to the student’s father.
To prevent reoccurrence, the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA), formerly the National Inspectorate Board (NIB), has recommended strengthened access control through body scans, ID checks, and visitor
registration at entry points.
It has also suggested the recruitment of additional trained security personnel, implementation and enforcement of a comprehensive Code of Conduct and Disciplinary measures in the Kumasi-based Senior High School (SHS).
“This unfortunate event highlights the pressing need for stricter security and disciplinary measures in our schools. NaSIA remains committed to safeguarding the safety and well-being of all students and staff across pre-tertiary institutions in the country.
The National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) will therefore make regular monitoring visits to ensure the recommendations are adhered to
We therefore call on all relevant stakeholders to prioritize student welfare through collaborative actions and to report any suspicious activities or procedures carried out by schools to the Authority,” NaSIA said in a statement.
