The practice of teachers inviting students to their bungalows to perform household chores will soon be abolished, according to the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Professor Ernest Kofi Davis.

Addressing the media on Friday, October 23, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis disclosed that the will be launched in the coming days as part of efforts to prevent sexual misconduct and protect students in schools.He added that, “I agree with those calling for a ban on students going to teachers’ bungalows. We are going to write to schools to make sure that it doesn’t happen because in our code of conduct, in Section 3.7 (V), it is written that the students are not expected to be asked to engage in household chores, so we are going to write to the regional directors on October 23.

“And so I expect the news to get to all regional directors to remind our staff to familiarise themselves with the code of conduct and cease inviting students to do household chores because the code of conduct does not permit that. It is not acceptable.”

The revelation comes amid allegations of sexual abuse involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai.

Zakaria Abdulai, who was the then headmaster of the school, has been accused by some of the female students of sexual abuse. This information came to light in Manasseh Azure Awuni’s latest documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow. So far, 19 students have allegedly been sexually abused by Zakaria Abdulai.

The revelation has triggered scores of Ghanaians calling on the government to bring Zakaria Abdulai. But the Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, on Tuesday, October 20, disclosed that Mr Abdulai had been arrested and being investigated. Ghana has recorded several cases of sexual abuse by headmasters.

Last year, the Headmaster of Dzodze-Penyi Senior High School, Mr. Joshua Vidzro, was temporarily relieved of his duties by the Ghana Education Service (GES) over his alleged involvement in sexual misconduct with some female students.

In September, the Ghana Education Service announced the removal of the Assistant Headmaster (Academic) of KNUST Senior High School, Mr. Charles Akwasi Aidoo, from office over alleged misconduct.

He was spotted in a viral video with a female student in a compromised position.

In response, management of GES released a statement declaring their stance on the matter. “Management views this matter with utmost seriousness. In line with our commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the teaching profession and ensuring the safety and welfare of students under our care, Mr. Aidoo has already been removed from office and prohibited from going to the school while thorough investigations are being carried out,” the statement read.

The GES assured the general public, stakeholders, parents, and students that due process will be followed, and the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the code of conduct of the Ghana Education Service.