Concerned teachers and parents in the Anloga Municipal District have formally petitioned President John Mahama, urging him to take immediate action over what they describe as administrative misconduct, intimidation, and poor management within basic schools in the area.

The petition, endorsed by more than ten teachers and parents, alleges that the District Director has breached established educational procedures as well as the Teachers’ Code of Conduct (Revised June 2017).

According to the petitioners, the alleged conduct is weakening the standard of teaching, affecting student outcomes, and lowering staff morale, with possible long-term consequences for the quality of basic education in the municipality.

In their petition, they accuse the District Director of taking over the setting of end-of-term examinations, a responsibility traditionally handled by classroom teachers.

They also allege irregularities in the management of examination fees and quotas, claiming that substantial amounts including GH¢16,000, GH¢15,000, GH¢12,000, GH¢10,000 and GH¢9,000 per term per school have been channelled to the Director and external service providers.

The petition further claims that outside service providers have been engaged to prepare examination questions described as non-standard, with personal or financial interests allegedly placed above students’ academic welfare. Teachers and headteachers who question these practices are said to face intimidation, including transfers and salary suspensions.

The document also raises concerns about selective and reportedly improper transfers, which it says have left some schools severely understaffed, with as few as five to eleven teachers handling all classes. It adds that students who are unable to fully pay examination fees are allegedly prevented from writing their end-of-term exams, causing emotional distress.

The petitioners state that an increasing number of teachers are seeking voluntary transfers to senior high and vocational institutions to escape what they describe as a hostile working environment, a trend they believe is weakening foundational education in the district. In some instances, headteachers are said to have engaged SHS graduates to fill teaching gaps, with parents reportedly asked to contribute toward their salaries.

They argue that students have suffered significantly under the current system. Citing available reports, the petitioners claim that nearly 97 percent of learners have failed terminal examinations over the past nine to ten years. They further contend that high-performing students have seen their results decline to average levels due to a mismatch between classroom instruction and examination content.

The petition also suggests that students’ motivation and study habits have deteriorated, with limited follow-up from the Directorate to assess and improve academic performance.

Experienced teachers are said to feel discouraged and excluded from the examination-setting process, while newly posted staff reportedly struggle to build competence in that area. Headteachers, according to the petition, risk transfers if they fail to meet expected examination quotas, and those responsible for marking and preparing reports allegedly receive little financial recognition.

At a teachers’ durbar, the Directorate reportedly defended its actions, arguing that some teachers fail to properly apply Bloom’s Taxonomy when setting examination questions and asserting that it has the authority to set exams in a manner similar to the West African Examinations Council. The petitioners, however, maintain that concerns about examination standards could be addressed through targeted professional development programmes and strengthened Professional Learning Communities. They also argue that WAEC operates under a defined statutory framework, unlike the present district-level intervention.

The petitioners are calling for a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into the District Director’s conduct, appropriate sanctions where wrongdoing is established, and redress for affected teachers and learners. They are also demanding protection for whistle-blowers and strict enforcement of the Teachers’ Code of Conduct and relevant educational regulations. Additionally, they are appealing for urgent measures to restore transparency, fairness and accountability within the district’s basic education system.

Copies of the petition have been forwarded to the Minister for Education, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, the Attorney-General, and leaders of teacher unions including the Ghana National Association of Teachers, the National Association of Graduate Teachers and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana.

The signatories expressed confidence that the President will act decisively to protect the integrity and standards of education in the Anloga Municipal District.

More than 100 students of the University of Ghana, Legon, were penalised for flouting the school rules.

According to reports, for violating the university’s code of conduct, 14 students were on Monday suspended for two academic years after findings by the Disciplinary Committee.

They were made not to participate in any academic or extracurricular activities during the suspension period.

The affected students included Mr. Abdul-Yakini Lukman, Mr. Daniel Ansah, Mr. Daniel Deary, Mr. Eugene Boakye Jnr., Mr. Ismael Ali Sherrif, Mr. Kingsley Asante, Mr. Richmond Opoku, Mr. Vincent Appiah, Mr. Yakubu Awudu, Mr. Michael Tetteh Kenney, Mr. Ernest Zor, Mr. Yahaya Chentiwuni, Mr. Mohammed Guru and Mr. Joshua Asugbadek Atimbiok.

For impersonation, three students were awarded Grade Z and expelled from the premier university.

Mr. Christian Owusu Yeboah, Ms. Linda Attah Lambongyi were expelled for their involvement in impersonation during MKTG301: Principles of Marketing examination, whereas Ms. Doris Bikpe during UGBS103: Introductory French examination, contrary to Regulation 11.12 of the University of Ghana Regulations on Examinations.

Some 97 students have been sanctioned, awarded grade Z, for engaging in examination malpractice after formal hearings.

They were caught leaving the examination hall with the answer booklet, communicating and copying, displaying answers written on the body to another candidate, possessing unauthorized material (a provisional ID with written information on the back) and passing and receiving information (Written answers/notes on question paper/provisional ID cards).

The university has underscored its commitment to maintaining discipline and protecting academic integrity, stating that it “remains resolute in ensuring a safe and honourable learning environment for all students.”

In an unrelated event, the sixth inaugural lecture for the 2024/2025 academic year is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 26th June.

The lecture will be delivered by Prof. Ajediran Idowu Bello, former Head of the Department of Physiotherapy.

Prof. Bello will speak on the topic: “Beyond Movement: Addressing Musculoskeletal Disorders as a Public Health Imperative.”

His lecture will examine the burden of musculoskeletal conditions and their far-reaching impact on public health systems.

The session promises to be an insightful engagement on the intersections of physiotherapy, population health and healthcare delivery in Ghana and beyond.

Members of the university community and the general public are warmly invited.