The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that its recent administrative circular does not prevent teachers from demonstrating.
According to the GES, their internal circular on administrative procedures does not attempt to silence teachers.
The GES clarified that Teachers are free to express their views or concerns, which include the right to peaceful demonstrations.
In a statement on Friday, March 13, 2026, the GES clarified, “DIRECTIVE TO RESPECT ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES WITHIN THE SERVICE
1. Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has taken note of the public discussions following the internal circular titled “Management Reinforces Respect for Administrative Structures and Professional Conduct”, referenced GES/DD-G/Q&A/26/134, which was addressed to all Regional Directors of Education.
2. Management wishes to clarify that the circular does not in any way prohibit teachers from expressing their views or concerns, nor does it seek to undermine their constitutional rights, including demonstrations.
3. Teachers, like all citizens, are entitled to lawful expression, including engaging their unions and participating in legitimate advocacy.
4. The purpose of the directive is simply to re-emphasise the long-standing administrative structure of the Service, which has guided the operations of the GES for decades.
5. Under this established process, concerns originating at the school level are first addressed by the Head of School. Where necessary, such matters are escalated to the District Directorate, then to the Regional Directorate, and subsequently to the Headquarters.
6. This structure exists to ensure that issues are handled efficiently, fairly, and with the appropriate context at each level of the Service.
7. Management assures all staff of the Service, Unions and other Stakeholders that ongoing efforts to resolve matters relating to arrears, salaries and recruitment are being treated with urgency. Updates will be communicated in the coming days.
8. In this light, Management calls for calm and continued professionalism across the Service, while constructive engagements through the appropriate channels remain encouraged”.
The GES clarification follows an earlier statement that warned teachers not to leave their classrooms to demonstrate, visit the headquarters in Accra, or speak to the media with their concerns during school hours.
According to the GES, Teachers who have concerns should follow the proper process by reporting to their Heads of School, then the District and Regional Directorates if necessary.
The GES further added that any teacher found absent from duty or appearing in media interviews during a protest school hours could face disciplinary action.
In a directive dated March 9, 2026, and addressed to all Regional Directors of Education, the GES stated, “Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has observed a growing trend in which some teachers, particularly newly recruited staff, frequently besiege the Headquarters, form unrecognised splinter groups, or engage the media regarding their concerns”.
“These actions often occur during official school hours, with teachers leaving their duty posts without recourse to their Heads of School, District Directorates, or Regional Directorates.”
“The teaching profession is a noble one governed by a Code of Conduct. Every member of staff is mandated to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in strict compliance with this Code,” the statement added.
The GES statement further added, “Teachers with concerns regarding any issue are required to first lodge such concerns with their Heads of School, and subsequently escalate them through the District and Regional Directorates, as appropriate”.
“Any teacher who leaves their duty post and is found at the Headquarters or elsewhere during official school hours, or who is captured on video or audio granting media interviews or participating in related activities during such hours, shall be treated under ‘Absence from Duty’ as stipulated in the Code of Conduct,” the directive stressed.
“District Directors and Heads of School must record any instance of teacher absenteeism and report it to Management,” the statement said.
However, the GES assured teachers that their concerns would be addressed through the right channels.
“Management assures all staff that their welfare remains a priority and reiterates its firm commitment to addressing legitimate concerns through due process and structured engagement,” it stated.
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