Pregnant Students Disallowed From Writing Final Exams

Pregnant Student

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in the Mampong Municipality has called on the Saint Monica’s College of Education to allow five pregnant students to write their final exams.

According to the Secretary of the Association, Reverend Patrick Tuffour, the Association was aware of the decision by the authorities of the school to disallow pregnant students from taking part in the final exams beginning in July this year because it was against their code of conduct.

He expressed sympathy for the students whose fate was in the balance, as they would not be sent on postings by the Ghana Education Service (GES) if they do not write the impending exams.

He noted that the development was worrying as it was general knowledge that the GES was already challenged with the high attrition rate of teachers as well as existing teacher shortages in several areas in the country.

Reverend Tuffour said consideration is needed for these unfortunate ladies who in spite of their status have diligently prepared for the approaching exams and he wondered why pregnant girls in Junior and Senior High Schools were allowed to write final exams when found in similar conditions but a tertiary institution like the Saint Monica College would deny the rights of its adult students.

He therefore appealed to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education and the GES to intervene in the matter and help reverse the decision taken by the College.