“Teachers are under serious stress” — Partey links school violence to systemic pressures
A viral altercation between a teacher and a student has exposed deeper structural and psychological pressures within Ghana’s education system, according to the Executive Director of IFEST, Peter Anti Partey. Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (10 June), Anti described the incident as “shocking” and “unp...
A viral altercation between a teacher and a student has exposed deeper structural and psychological pressures within Ghana’s education system, according to the Executive Director of IFEST, Peter Anti Partey.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (10 June), Anti described the incident as “shocking” and “unprofessional,” but warned against viewing it in isolation.
“This is just an exhibition of many things going wrong in our schools,” he said.
While condemning the teacher’s conduct, Anti emphasised that teachers are increasingly operating under intense stress, including threats and attacks from students.
He recounted cases where educators had been targeted for enforcing discipline, including one teacher allegedly attacked for preventing exam malpractice.
“These issues put teachers in danger, and we must acknowledge that reality,” he said.
Anti stressed that teachers are professionally trained to manage classroom conflict but noted that emotional strain and systemic gaps could undermine that training.
He called for a more measured national conversation, urging stakeholders to examine both teacher welfare and student behaviour.
“We need to reflect on what is happening in the lives of teachers and students,” he said.