Pregnant teacher trainees of St. Monica’s to write exams – Principal

Mrs Christina Sobotie, Principal of Saint Monica’s College of Education, in Asante Mampong, has announced that pregnant teacher trainees would be allowed to write the final examination in July.

She said the Ghana Education Service has given oral directive to the school authorities to allow the students to partake in the examination; adding: “We will abide by it.”

Mrs Sobotie who made this known to the Ghana News Agency in an interview said the pregnant students who were barred by the school to write the exams have taken the matter to the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, which has invited the college to appear before it on July 2, in Kumasi.

She said the college was not acting on its own volition in banning the students from writing their final exams.

Mrs Sobotie said the decision fell within the rules and regulations of Ghana Education Services (GES).

Ghana National Association of Teachers however expressed worry about the decision since GES is challenged with high attrition rate of teachers.

According to the GES code of discipline for teacher trainees, (1998, page 21), on special provision on pregnancy, “A female student who becomes pregnant will be made to withdraw for a minimum period of one year, to apply for readmission.”

Some civil society groups, including the Africa Public Policy Institute have condemned the code of conduct, describing it as “discrimination against women,” while others have called for its review.

Source: GNA