Ghana Education Service (GES) has cautioned teachers across the country against bypassing official administrative channels when addressing their concerns.
In a statement released on Monday, March 9, GES management expressed concern about a growing practice in which some teachers, particularly newly recruited staff, travel to the Service’s national headquarters or grant media interviews during official school hours without following the appropriate reporting structures.
According to the statement, some teachers have also been forming unrecognised groups and visiting the National Office to present grievances, rather than raising issues through established procedures.
“The Service operates through clearly defined administrative structures. The teaching profession is a noble one governed by a Code of Conduct. Every member of staff is mandated to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in strict compliance with this Code,” the statement said.
GES emphasised that teachers with concerns must first report them to their Heads of School. If the matter remains unresolved, it should then be escalated through the appropriate levels, including the District Directorates and Regional Directorates.
The Service noted that the National Office only deals directly with Regional Directorates and officially recognised teacher unions registered under Ghanaian law.
Management further warned that any teacher who leaves their duty post to visit the GES headquarters or is recorded speaking to the media during official working hours will be considered absent from duty, in line with provisions of the GES Code of Conduct.
“Any teacher recorded on video or audio engaging media houses or found at the Headquarters during official school hours will be held accountable, together with the School Head and the District Director responsible,” the statement emphasised.
GES has therefore directed Regional Directors to ensure that District Directors and Heads of Schools enforce strict compliance with the directive.
District Directors and School Heads have also been tasked to document and report cases of teacher absenteeism to management.
While acknowledging progress made in clearing administrative backlogs inherited by the Service, GES reiterated that outstanding issues affecting individual staff members must be resolved through established procedures rather than confrontational actions or public engagements that disrupt the work of management.
“Management assures all staff that their welfare remains a priority and reiterates its firm commitment to addressing legitimate concerns through due process and structured engagement,” the statement concluded.
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