Accra: Female teachers attacked at New Town School but Education Ministry bares teeth (Watch VIDEO)

The St. John’s Basic School, in Accra New Town has been closed down following an attack on female teachers in the school by youth in the area. The attack follows a decision by one of the teachers to 'discipline' one of the pupils for misbehaving. Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Basic Education, Alex Kyeremeh has condemned an attack on female teachers at the St. John's primary and JHS school at Accra New Town by some thugs.
The 15-year-old student, Aisha Adam who is accused of inviting thugs to attack her teacher, was punished and sacked from class by her teacher for being unable to pronounce the word “entertainment” during reading lesson and misbehaving.

She allegedly went home to call her brothers who came to beat up the teacher who punished her. Mr. Kyeremeh said teachers act as parents in schools and therefore should be accorded the necessary respect, adding that teachers should not be seen as enemies when they try to correct students.

He indicated that though there has not been any formal complaint to the ministry, the act by the supposed thugs should not be encouraged. ‘It is unfortunate that issues like this nature should come up in our schools. A teacher who teaches students is the same as parents and so it is very unfortunate that this should happen” he noted.

He insisted that students who engage in unruly acts should be dealt with and if possible, sent to any Juvenile Correctional Centre in order to be reformed. “I heard that the student in particular was transferred from another school to the St John’s school.

But as a school our mistake is that we fail to find out the background of these students and so a student like that should be sent to a Juvenile Correctional Centre to get them reformed” he insisted.

He however assured that the ministry will put measures in place to help the female teachers who were attacked. Meanwhile, the Greater Accra Regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has condemned the attack and has instructed that all teachers of St. Johns 1&2 stay out of the classroom till further notice.