G.E.S Must Encourage "Decent" Teacher-Student Relationship:- Counsellor Daniel Fenyi

A 17-year old Form 3 girl of Swedru Senior High School (swesco) once told me she was dating a 23 year old banker. The guy had completed Cape Coast Polytechnic and was working as an accountant. Six years on, the two have married. The lady, at 23, has completed Nursing Training and works as a nurse while the guy, at 29, has become a full Chartered Accountant. (True story, but names are withheld, for confidentiality).

What if the girl had told me she was dating a teacher? If a student can date an accountant, doctor, engineer, service personnel, lawyer, carpenter, why can't she equally date a teacher? Well, like or hate, the canker of students dating teachers prevails in most Senior High Schools across the country.

Barring all insults, I strongly hold that GES' position of sacking teachers found engaging students is primitive, irresponsible, dictatorial, and grossly unintelligent. I know my position is incongrous with many other educationists', but I believe we, as a nation, should have a re-think about teacher-student relationship.

Admittedly, there are bad teachers. They abuse students sexually, and threaten them with grades. But the students should be taught that no single teacher can repeat or promote her (in fact, repetion and promotion are estranged in SHS). For WASSCE grades, different teachers from different schools mark the scripts. Thus, good grades can't be assured by any teacher. Teach our girls these simple facts!

Equally, there are good teachers. They see a student girl, love her, and project her as future wife material. He thus helps her academically, teach her (sometimes during evenings, weekends and vacations). Such teachers sometimes provide financial support and serve as a "pillar" for the student girl. Should such a teacher be sacked when "caught"? Should he even be "caught"?

G.E.S, I suggest, should set up a "monitoring or audit committee" to oversee such "decent" relationships. Such teacher can be transfered from the school where the girl is or be assigned to teach classes where the girl is not. They can be closely monitored and guided so that the student's education would not suffer.

I believe this approach is more democratic, intellectual and prudent.

Not all teacher-student relationships are negative, some help students than prey on them...counsellor Fenyi's take!!

*Counsellor Daniel Fenyi*
*Counselling Coordinator, Community Link Gh🇬🇭 (NGO)*