11 CSOs Petition NTC Over Alleged Assault by Nyinahin SHS Teacher
A coalition of 11 Civil Society Organisations working in education, child rights, gender, peace and security, and social accountability has petitioned the National Teaching Council to investigate an alleged physical altercation between a female student and a teacher at Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School.
The incident, involving Mr Eric Buenortey Akpafio, has generated widespread public concern and, according to the CSOs, raises serious questions about professional conduct and public confidence in the teaching profession.
In the petition submitted to the NTC, the group said the matter falls squarely within the Council’s statutory mandate as the body responsible for teacher licensing, professional regulation, standards enforcement and disciplinary accountability.
The petition is anchored on three key legal and professional frameworks. The Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023) mandates the NTC to regulate teacher conduct and handle disciplinary processes.
The National Teachers’ Standards of 2017 require teachers to uphold professional ethics, protect the safety and dignity of learners, and use non-violent, child-centred approaches to discipline.
The CSOs also cited the broader safeguarding obligation of the education system, which demands that teachers prevent harm and ensure schools remain safe spaces for learning.
The organisations are requesting a full professional inquiry into Mr Akpafio’s alleged conduct to determine whether it constitutes a breach of Act 1023, the National Teachers’ Standards, and other applicable safeguarding obligations.
They are also asking the Council to assess the teacher’s fitness to practise, particularly in relation to ethical conduct, learner protection, professional judgement and the duty of care to maintain a safe learning environment.
Where professional breaches are established, the CSOs want the NTC to apply appropriate disciplinary sanctions in line with the law and its own procedures.
They further urged the Council, in the interest of transparency and public confidence, to communicate the outcome of the investigation and any disciplinary action publicly and timeously.
The group also called on the NTC to reinforce safeguarding compliance across the teaching profession by educating teachers on their obligation to prioritise non-violent, child-centred and de-escalatory approaches when managing discipline in schools.
The CSOs said they trust the NTC will treat the petition with the urgency and seriousness it warrants in order to protect learners, uphold professional standards and preserve the integrity of the teaching profession.
The petition was signed by ActionAid Ghana, Africa Education Watch, Centre for Research and Development Alternatives, Foundation for Security and Development in Africa, Ghana Center for Democratic Development, Ghana Youth Manifesto Coalition, International Child Development Programme, Norsaac, Northern Regional Youth Network, School for Life, and Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) Ghana.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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