By The Ghana Education Service (GES) has voiced apprehension over the increasing prevalence of tattooing, multiple piercings, and skin bleaching among students, labeling it as “a troubling phenomenon.”
Moreover, the GES has expressed profound concern regarding the issues of teenage pregnancies and cohabitation, noting their adverse impact on students’ educational pursuits, particularly among girls.
Priscilla Christabel Eshun, the Central Regional Girls Education Officer of the GES, expressed surprise at the discovery that some young students sported conspicuous tattoos with unconventional names and meanings.
These observations were made during the GES’s visits to specific districts in the Central Region as part of its ‘Life Skills Programme,’ aimed at empowering students.
The visited districts include Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Assin South, Ekumfi, Upper Denkyira West, Twifo-Hemang-Lower-Denkyira West, and the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality.
Eshun shared these observations during the Second Quarter Sub-Implementing Partners (IPs) Review Meeting on sexual and gender-based violence. This meeting was organized by the Regional Coordinating Council with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Eshun stated: “In one of the schools we visited, a young girl had bleached her skin to the point where it was peeling off and emitting an unpleasant smell. We also observed students with multiple piercings in their ears.
“This has become a fashion trend, and many girls are engaging in it without considering the potential health, employment, and other socio-economic consequences.”
She also revealed that numerous boys had dropped out of school for various reasons and were engaged in operating tricycles (Aboboyaa or Pragyia). Investigations revealed that many young girls were forming associations with these boys for financial assistance.
“Regrettably, many girls are enticed into such relationships for financial gain, using the money to purchase sanitary pads and other personal items,” Eshun revealed.
She emphasized that the GES strictly prohibits tattooing, multiple piercings, and skin bleaching, as stipulated in its unified Code of Conduct for students in pre-tertiary schools.
She elaborated that the GES Code of Conduct emphasizes the necessity for students to dress neatly, adhere to the prescribed dress code and footwear consistently, and abstain from accessories such as chains, bangles, caps, and bracelets.
She further noted that spectacles are only permitted with a valid medical prescription, and alterations to school uniforms or attire are strictly prohibited.
“Students shall not wear chains, bangles, caps, or braces. Wearing of spectacles shall require a medical prescription.
“No alterations to school uniforms or dress shall be allowed. Possession or use of un-prescribed attire by a student is an offence,” Eshun explained.
She noted that these guidelines also pertain to personal grooming, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a decent haircut as defined by school authorities.
According to her, clean, neat, and modest hair is encouraged, with a focus on avoiding extreme styles and colours.
For male students, she said a styled haircut and a clean-shaven beard are acceptable.
“Students should have a decent haircut as prescribed by the school authorities. Hair should be clean, neat, and modest, and avoid extremes in styles and colour. Men’s hair should be neatly struck and beard clean-shaven.”
