The Ghana Education Service (GES) says it is considering tougher measures, including possible criminal prosecution, for Senior High School (SHS) students involved in serious acts of misconduct.

The Service said while parents may be held accountable in some situations, students whose actions result in major offences such as extensive destruction of school property could also face the criminal justice system.

Deputy Director-General of the GES, Professor Smile Dzisi, said the move forms part of efforts to address growing concerns over indiscipline among SHS students.

She disclosed that the Service will organise a national stakeholder engagement in Sunyani, Bono Region, next week to examine the causes of increasing student misconduct and develop measures to curb the trend.

Speaking to Citi News on the sidelines of the 86th anniversary celebration of Odorgonno Senior High School, Prof. Dzisi said the GES would consider all available options to ensure students and staff who engage in or support acts of indiscipline are held responsible.

“Any student that will be caught will be severely punished. Or any staff that will be caught condoning such actions will be severely punished. It’s important to agree on the way forward,” she said.

She explained that while parents could be liable for certain actions of their wards, extreme cases involving criminal behaviour and serious damage to property may require legal action against the students involved.

Meanwhile, authorities at Odorgonno Senior High School are appealing for support to construct a dedicated science laboratory for the school.

Currently, the school uses its dining hall as a laboratory, a situation the authorities say has contributed to frequent damage to laboratory equipment and affected practical lessons.

The school is also seeking assistance to establish a practical centre for visual arts students.

Headmaster of Odorgonno Senior High School, Patrick Mensah, appealed to corporate organisations, individuals and other stakeholders to support the school in addressing its infrastructure challenges.

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