The Deputy Secretary of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) Michael Ayuriboya has kicked against the Ghana Education Service’s directive for the two Rastafarian boys to be admitted into the Achimota Senior High School.
The two students were placed in the Achimota Senior High School through the Computerized School Placement System, but were unfortunately obstructed from having access to the school because of their locked hairstyles, which the school authority claim does not conform to their school laws and culture.
In an interview on the Daybreak Upper East programme on A1 Radio on Monday, March 22, Mr. Ayuriboya said the Ghana Education Service was too quick with the decision to allow the boys to be admitted into the school, saying this decision will set a bad precedent which will be suicidal to the country’s educational system.
“This is a test case for us, what has happened is a test case for us and we are of the position that what is about to happen will be a precedent and will be so suicidal to the educational system. We are not happy; we are disappointed with the statement of the GES accepting that that guy or those guys come in that state. Let me put it on record, we have no problem with Rastafarians, we have no problem with anyone wearing dreadlocks, we have a problem with what our management has done because as far as we are concerned, this matter hasn’t gotten to the GES formally.
It was a matter of the school and parents and social media took it up and then GES runs with its tail under the legs to concede that the students should be admitted. In any case, the students were admitted by placement, there is no question about that, so it is not about denying them education. It was a matter of yes you have been given admission, but you must follow protocols that we have here. The school must have a culture and it is the culture that gives your identity.” Mr. Ayuriboya noted.
Meanwhile, there were diverse opinions on that matter on the Daybreak Upper East morning programme.
Many of the callers were of the view that the students should not be admitted because other students will copy them and also start wearing locked hairs on campus.
A few callers also supported the Ghana Education Service’s position on the matter, saying, no child should be denied education on the grounds of ethnicity, gender or religious beliefs, and background.
Source: a1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Ghana
