The Ghana Education Service (GES) has strongly condemned a violent assault on a teacher at Kade Senior High Technical School and vowed to take punitive action against the former students involved. The condemnation follows the circulation of a video on social media that showed the attack, which had gone unreported for over two months.
What Happened: The Incident Details
The assault on teacher Mr. Michael Quayson occurred on October 5, 2025. According to a preliminary report received by the GES, the attack was carried out by a group of former students of the school.
Cause of Attack: The former students were reportedly aggrieved by Mr. Quayson’s strict supervision during the invigilation of the Christian Religious Studies paper for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Official Statement: The GES, in a statement signed by its Head of Public Relations, Mr. Daniel Fenyi, on December 10, described the assault as “unacceptable, unlawful, and a direct affront to the dignity of the teaching profession”.
Late Reporting: A significant point of concern raised by the GES is that the incident was not reported to school authorities or the GES management until the video surfaced online. Management has since taken over the case, and investigations are ongoing.
Teacher Union Issues Stern Ultimatum
In reaction to the assault, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has taken a strong stance, putting pressure on the government for immediate action.
· Key Demands: NAGRAT is demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the students involved in the attack. The union is also calling for fair compensation for the assaulted teacher.
· Strike Threat: The union has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government. If the Ghana Police Service and the GES fail to act within this period, teachers across the country may withdraw their services. This action could potentially disrupt the 2026 academic calendar.
· Broader Context: NAGRAT highlighted that this is not an isolated event. The union cited several recent cases of violence against teachers in schools, including the stabbing of teachers at Takoradi Technical Institute and Christian Methodist Senior High School earlier in 2025.
Government and GES Commit to Action
The GES has assured the public and the teaching community that it is taking the matter seriously and will ensure justice is served.
Promised Sanctions: The GES stated that the perpetrators “shall face the appropriate sanctions provided by law and GES regulations to ensure justice is duly served”.
Support for Teachers: The Service extended reassurance to teachers nationwide, affirming its “full support in instilling discipline and ensuring examination integrity”.
Call for Discipline: The statement also urged all students to uphold discipline and respect authority, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
The Bigger Picture
This incident has brought to the forefront ongoing concerns about safety and discipline in Ghana’s schools. In April 2025, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, instructed the GES to take immediate steps to address what he described as a “troubling breakdown in discipline” within educational institutions. The attack at Kade SHTS, and the forceful response from the teacher’s union, indicates that these challenges persist and require sustained attention from authorities, school communities, and the public.
Story By: Nortei Bi Akoso
