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Church of Pentecost Warns Teachers Against Sexual Abuse and Harassment of Female Students
The Church of Pentecost’s Schools Outreach Ministry has warned teachers against sexually abusing, harassing, or bullying female students. The warning came at an event organised in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service to mark the International Day of the Girl Child. Ministry Chairman Rev. Joseph Buertey condemned the conduct and said it contradicts the fundamental responsibilities of teachers. Furthermore, the JoyNews Research Team has tracked at least 44 cases of sexual abuse involving teachers since 2015. School heads account for 40 percent of recent cases.
You Are There to Teach, Not Exploit — Rev. Buertey
Rev. Buertey was direct in his condemnation of teacher sexual misconduct at the Girl Child event. He said a teacher who abuses, harasses, or sleeps with a girl does not understand the teaching profession.
Moreover, he stressed that teachers exist to educate, empower, and prepare students for the future. Therefore, he warned that any teacher found engaging in such misconduct would face legal consequences. He said clearly that when they are discovered, the law will deal with them.
Boys Must Also Be Brought Along in Girls’ Education Push
Korle Klottey Municipal Education Director Ebenezer Perry Ofori raised an important concern at the event. He said efforts to empower girls must go hand in hand with initiatives to guide and support boys.
Furthermore, he questioned whether boys were receiving enough attention as programmes for girls continued to grow. He said both boys and girls must be raised together on the same level for genuine balance and mutual understanding in schools. As a result, he called for a more inclusive approach to education and child development.
Student Urges Parents to Invest in Their Daughters’ Education
Student Celestine Kporfor said the discussions at the event reinforced her belief in the importance of girls’ education. She urged parents and guardians to invest in their daughters, describing it as the best decision any parent can make for the world. Furthermore, the event brought together students from basic and senior high schools across the Korle Klottey Municipality. It aimed to promote girls’ education, raise awareness about their protection, and encourage stakeholders to make schools safer for all children.