Dr Peter Anti Partey, Executive Director of the Institute for Educational Studies (IFEST), has described the alleged sexual misconduct by Dzodze-Penyi SHS headmaster, Joshua Vidzro, as a “betrayal of trust,” urging regulatory bodies to take decisive measures to protect students.

Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Monday, December 8, Dr Partey said, “You take your child to school, and then this is the report that you have written at the end of the day. It is a betrayal of trust, and people should not continue to be given the opportunity to interact with kids.”

He stressed the importance of personal integrity and professional responsibility for teachers, particularly those in leadership.

“It is supposed to be a personal decision that you take. It’s supposed to be a personal principle that you uphold. And for you to rise to the ranks and be a headmaster, it means that you know all these things,” he added.

Dr Partey called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the National Teaching Council (NTC) to enforce stricter sanctions, emphasising that demotion or transfer is insufficient.

“When a teacher goes contrary to professional ethics, the Teaching Council can initiate an investigation and withhold licenses to prevent them from teaching in another school,” he said.

The comments follow the GES directive ordering Vidzro to step aside with immediate effect pending investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving female students.

He has been instructed to hand over all school duties and property and avoid contact with the students or potential witnesses.