Achimota School Rejects GES Directive To Admit Rastafarian Students

Achimota School has rejected a directive by the Ghana Education Service to admit two Rastafarian students.

Headmistress of the school after a crunch meeting on Monday with the regional director of education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) stated that the school will not compromise on its rules and will only admit the students if they take off their dreadlocks.

The GES) over the weekend directed the headmistress of Achimota School to admit the two teenage students whose were asked to take off their dreadlocks before coming to school.

The directive followed an intense and sustained online protest against the decision of the Achimota School authorities.

GES had argued that if the boys provide evidence to show they are indeed Rastafarians, they should be allowed to tie their hair neatly while in school.

Prior to the GES directive, Africa Education Watch, Child Rights International, Rastafarian MP, Ras Mubarak and several Ghanaians had strongly stated that the school’s action is a violation of the constitutional rights of the children on various levels, particularly freedom of religion and right to education.

But after a meeting on Monday, the Headmistress of Achimota School insisted that the boys cannot be on campus with their dreadlocks.

NAGRAT disagrees with GES

Meanwhile, National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) on Monday fiercely resisted a directive from the GES to Achimota School to admit two students with dreadlocks.

NAGRAT President Eric Angel Carbonu said the directive has a potential of leading to a chaotic environment in schools across the country.

It is therefore asking GES to reverse the directive and redirect the management of Achimota School to ensure students abide by school rules.

Source: ABCNewsGh