‘Don’t exclude us, then blame us for indiscipline’ – Catholic Bishops on GES Council removal

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has expressed serious concerns over the removal of its representative from the Ghana Education Service (GES) Council. The Church asserts that its exclusion from key discussions on education is limiting its influence and could potentially impact discipline in Senior High Schools. The Conference noted that it is the second-largest provider of formal education in Ghana, yet it has increasingly been sidelined in vital decision-making processes within the education sector.

This development is particularly troubling in light of rising issues related to student indiscipline and immorality. The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, highlighted these concerns during a meeting with Parliament’s Chieftaincy, Culture and Religious Affairs Committee. He questioned the decision-making rationale behind excluding the Church from a body entrusted with shaping education policies, especially given the Church's long-standing commitment to the sector.

Rev. Gyamfi argued that the Church's expertise in promoting discipline and moral values could significantly contribute to addressing the challenges faced by schools. He stated: "If the one whose core is to instill discipline and morality into people is eliminated and not given the right to do this, then why ask why there is indiscipline and immorality in the schools?"

Consequently, the Conference is urging for increased involvement of faith-based education providers in the formulation of policies and decisions that affect Ghana's education system.