A coalition of 11 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has officially petitioned the National Teaching Council (NTC) to demand an immediate investigation into an alleged physical altercation between a teacher and a female student at the Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School.
The petition, addressed to the Registrar of the NTC, Dr. Addai-Poku, follows widespread public outrage triggered by a viral video depicting the clash, which reportedly stemmed from a dispute over hostel fees.
The coalition is calling for a rigorous assessment of the teacher’s conduct to restore public trust in the country’s educational framework.
In the formal petition, the groups noted that the incident raises profound issues regarding the safety of students and the professional standards expected of educators.
They noted that the teacher in question, identified as Mr. Eric Buenortey Akpafio, may have severely breached institutional codes of conduct.
“The incident, among others, raises serious concerns about professional conduct and public confidence in the teaching profession,” the coalition stated in the petition. “These matters fall within the statutory mandate of the NTC as the body responsible for teacher licensing, professional regulation, standards enforcement and disciplinary accountability.”
The joint demand is legally grounded in the Education Regulatory Bodies Act of 2020 and the National Teachers’ Standards established in 2017.
According to the CSOs, these frameworks legally mandate teachers to uphold professional ethics, apply non-violent, child-centred behaviour management techniques, and maintain safe learning environments.
The petitioners are requesting that the regulatory body determine the teacher’s ultimate fitness to practice and apply appropriate disciplinary sanctions if the breaches are established.
Furthermore, they have urged the council to make the findings public to ensure transparency and reinforce safeguarding compliance across the country.
“We trust that the NTC will treat this petition with the urgency and seriousness it warrants,” the advocacy groups wrote, concluding that swift action is necessary “in the interest of protecting learners, upholding professional standards and preserving the integrity of the teaching profession.”
The organisations are ActionAid Ghana, Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), Centre for Research and Development Alternatives (CREDA), Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA), Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Ghana Youth Manifesto Coalition, International Child Development Programme (ICDP), Norsaac, Northern Regional Youth Network, School for Life, and Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) Ghana.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
