The National Council for Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) of Ghana has expressed its support for the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education in their efforts to promote discipline in senior high schools by enforcing approved hairstyle policies. The Council emphasises that enforcing these school rules should not be viewed as an act of control or punishment, but rather as an essential step towards instilling discipline, responsibility, and personal development in students.
This statement follows Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu’s appeal to parents to assist the GES in implementing the hairstyle directive. He explained that this initiative aims to promote uniformity and equity among students. Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Accra on Monday, October 27, the Minister highlighted that while students will have greater freedom of expression at the tertiary level, the secondary school environment must prioritize the development of discipline, order, and respect for rules.
The General Secretary of the National PTA Council, Raphael Kofi Gapson, speaking in an interview on the Channel One Newsroom, said the “The rationale for the enforcement is that it will promote discipline and personal growth.” He also noted that Council fully supports the government’s renewed emphasis on discipline, provided policies are applied fairly and consistently across all schools.
“We are saying that we should look at the policy holistically and not be doing picking and choosing,” Mr. Gapson stated. “Discipline and character formation—Chapter 2 of the National Council of PTA constitution—speaks about the purposes of the National PTA and in common with those of the regional branches and school-based units.”
He explained that the culture of discipline is what has sustained the reputation of Ghana’s top-performing secondary schools, often referred to as Category A and B schools. These institutions, he said, have maintained high standards and strong traditions over decades, earning the trust and admiration of parents nationwide.
“All the schools that we call Category A and B schools, it is because over the last 30, 40, 50 years, they’ve maintained certain standards. That is their culture, their school climate, and that is why every parent wants to send their child there,” he noted.
Source: Citi Newsroom
