Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has issued a firm directive to the Ghana Education Service (GES) and heads of second-cycle institutions to reinforce strict discipline and grooming standards in schools nationwide.
Addressing the 75th Anniversary celebrations of Mawuli School, the Minister spoke amid escalating debates on social media over students’ hairstyles and personal grooming. He argued that schools remain institutions for character development — not platforms for showcasing fashion trends.
“There is an ongoing debate on social media about haircuts and the size and length of hair in secondary schools. We will not tolerate it today; we will not tolerate it tomorrow, so long as we are moulding character,” he said.
“If we give in to hair today, tomorrow it will be shoes and the next day it will be the way they dress. Therefore, as part of our disciplinary measures, Headmasters and GES are accordingly empowered to take full control of how students behave on your campuses.”
Mr. Iddrisu warned that students cannot expect to attend school with appearances more suited for a beauty contest, stressing that the school environment is designed to instill discipline, not promote flamboyance.
However, the Minister also issued a caution to educators, making clear that enforcement must be fair and free from abuse.
“We will not tolerate indiscipline in our schools, including cases where teachers abuse learners. Any teacher found taking advantage of a student will face strict sanctions,” he stated.
The renewed emphasis on discipline is expected to reignite discussions around student rights, personal expression, and the evolving expectations of school authority in Ghana’s educational system.
