The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTA) has expressed strong concern over what it calls emerging religious discrimination in some public and private senior high schools, including Wesley Girls’ SHS and Tema SHS.
In a statement issued on November 25, the NCPTA said certain administrative directives in these schools appear to favour particular religious beliefs while suppressing others, actions the Council says violate Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
Citing Articles 1(2), 12, 17 and 21(1)(c), the Council reminded school authorities that all pre-tertiary schools, whether public, private, or faith-based are state institutions and must not impose religious practices on students who do not share those beliefs. It added that any rule inconsistent with the Constitution is void.
While acknowledging the historic contributions of faith-based institutions to Ghana’s educational system, the NCPTA said such traditions must operate within constitutional limits and should not justify discriminatory conduct.
The Council also highlighted the role of parents under the Pre-tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049), urging PTAs, School Management Committees and Boards to step up oversight to ensure student freedoms are protected.
To address the problem, the NCPTA called for urgent reforms including:
-A comprehensive review of school policies involving the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders
-Continuous training for administrators and PTA leaders on constitutional and diversity issues
-Increased student participation in decision-making
-Stronger community engagement to promote religious tolerance
-Firm enforcement of laws against discriminatory practices
The NCPTA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring Ghanaian schools remain inclusive, tolerant and respectful of all faiths.