The Ghana Education Service (GES) has cautioned teachers against leaving their duty posts during official school hours to visit the Service’s headquarters or engage the media over personal concerns.
In a directive issued to all Regional Directors of Education, the GES said it had observed a growing trend where some teachers, particularly newly recruited staff, frequently besiege the headquarters, form unrecognised splinter groups, or grant media interviews regarding their concerns.
The Service noted that such actions often occur during official school hours, with teachers abandoning their posts without first reporting their issues through the established administrative channels.
GES explained that the education system operates through clearly defined administrative structures and emphasised that the teaching profession is governed by a strict Code of Conduct which requires every staff member to maintain the highest standards of professionalism.
The Service directed teachers with concerns to first report them to their Heads of School, after which the issues should be escalated through the District and Regional Directorates where necessary.
It stressed that the national office engages directly only with Regional Directorates and legally recognised teacher unions registered under the laws of Ghana.
The GES further warned that any teacher who leaves their duty post and is found at the headquarters or elsewhere during official school hours, or is captured on video or audio granting media interviews during such hours, would be treated as being “absent from duty” under the Code of Conduct.
It added that the appropriate disciplinary procedures would be applied to offenders.
Management therefore directed all Regional Directors to ensure strict compliance with the directive by supervising District Directors and Heads of Schools to monitor attendance and report any cases of absenteeism.
According to the Service, any teacher recorded on video or audio engaging media houses or found at the headquarters during official school hours would be held accountable, together with the School Head and District Director responsible.
GES acknowledged the progress made in clearing inherited administrative backlogs and streamlining processing systems but advised staff with outstanding concerns to channel them through the appropriate administrative structures rather than confrontational approaches directed at the headquarters or the media.
The Service assured staff that their welfare remained a priority and reiterated its commitment to addressing legitimate concerns through due process and structured engagement.