A formal request has been made by certain teachers at Attafuah Senior High Technical School (ASTECH) in the Birim Central Municipal Assembly of the Eastern Region for the transfer of Mr. Francis Koomson Barnes from his position as Headmaster.
A total of 53 teachers signed the letter of petition, and copies were sent to the following parties: the Office of the Vice President; the Eastern Regional Minister; the Minister of Education; the Municipal Chief Executive; the Municipal Director of Education; the Board of Governors; the Attafuah SHTS; the Bureau of National Investigation; the Member of Parliament for the Akim Oda Constituency; Akyem Kotoku Kontihene; and the Headmaster of the School.
The petition was filed with a profound sense of urgency, according to the undersigned teachers, considering the detrimental impact that the headmaster’s actions have had on the well-being and operational efficiency of their prestigious school.
The petition enumerated several of the school headmaster’s transgressions, which is the rationale behind their demands for his transfer from the institution.
Below are some of the accusations made by the teachers against the headmaster of the Attafuah Senior High Technical School.
Note: All the allegations written below are in quotes as stated in the petition filed by the teacher.
GROUNDS FOR PETITION
1. Unlawful Imposition of Punitive Measures:
Mr. Barnes has engaged in the unauthorized practice of imposing fines on students by demanding the purchase of bags of cement as punishment for minor infractions. This action directly contravenes the regulations established by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and undermines the principles of the Free Senior High School policy, which strictly prohibits the collection of any funds from students or their parents. Specifically, the demand for cement as a form of punishment is not only unorthodox but also places an undue financial burden on students and their families. Evidence of this malpractice includes a receipt for the purchase of five bags of cement by a student and a monetary transaction from a parent for the same purpose. These actions have created an atmosphere of financial exploitation and have detracted from the school’s educational mission (see Exhibit “A” attached).
2. Disregard for Ministry of Education Directives:
Mr. Barnes has failed to comply with the transitional calendar directive issued by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum, which is designed to ensure adequate rest periods for teachers. Despite numerous appeals from the Department of Languages and other school staff, Mr. Barnes has consistently refused to implement this directive. This non-compliance has resulted in significant fatigue among teachers, adversely affecting their performance and, by extension, the academic performance of students. The refusal to adhere to the ministry’s directives not only undermines the authority of the Ministry of Education but also disrupts the well-being and effectiveness of the teaching staff. (see Exhibit “I” attached).
3. Harassment and Intimidation:
Mr. Barnes has perpetuated an environment of harassment and intimidation towards both teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as students and canteen vendors. His actions have created a climate of fear and uncertainty, severely disrupting the school’s academic and administrative functions. Specific instances include undue pressure on female house staff, resulting in the Assistant Headmistress III (Domestic) bearing the sole responsibility for managing all girls in the dormitories. This situation compromises the well-being and safety of both staff and students. Furthermore, Mr. Barnes’ hostile management style has led to a significant decline in staff morale and has fostered an atmosphere of distrust and fear.
4. Unilateral Appropriation of Staff Common Room:
Mr. Barnes has unilaterally converted the staff common room into his personal office without consulting the teaching staff. Consequently, over 118 teachers are forced to use inadequate facilities such as a dilapidated kitchen and outdoor areas as their staff room. This action has significantly impeded their ability to perform their duties effectively, impacting students’ academic performance. The conversion of the staff common room into a personal office demonstrates a disregard for the needs and well-being of the teaching staff, further eroding the collaborative and supportive environment essential for educational excellence, (see Exhibit “B” attached).
5. Erosion of School Disciplinary Structure:
Mr. Barnes has rendered the school’s disciplinary committees, particularly the Disciplinary Committee, ineffective through his authoritarian leadership style. His
unilateral decision-making process has led to increased indiscipline, as teachers have been excluded from the disciplinary process, undermining the institution’s governance. The erosion of the disciplinary structure has resulted in a lack of accountability and has fostered an environment where indiscipline thrives. This has had a detrimental impact on the school’s overall learning environment and has compromised the safety and well-being of both students and staff. (see Exhibit “E” attached).
6. Neglect of School Maintenance:
Mr. Barnes has neglected his managerial duties, resulting in the deterioration of school property. Usable metal beds were sold as scrap instead of being repaired, and functional furniture was left to deteriorate or used as firewood. The school’s garage has collapsed, leaving vehicles exposed to other elements and rapidly deteriorating. Equipment such as the school mower and vehicles, including a pickup and a Landcruiser, have been neglected and are now in disrepair. This neglect of school maintenance has not only wasted valuable resources but also compromised the safety and functionality of the school’s infrastructure, further hindering the educational process. (see Exhibit “C”, “F” and H attached).
7. Non-compliance with GES Financial Guidelines:
Mr. Barnes has disregarded GES guidelines for the distribution of academic intervention funds. Despite the MOT Committee’s adherence to GES modalities for fund distribution, Mr. Barnes has allocated these funds at his discretion, undermining the established financial protocols. This misuse of financial resources has led to a lack of transparency and accountability, raising serious concerns about the management of school funds and the potential for financial impropriety. The failure to adhere to GES financial guidelines undermines the integrity of the institution and its ability to provide equitable and effective educational services.
8. Failure to Disburse WASSCE Practical Exam Funds:
Mr. Barnes has failed to release government-provided funds for WASSCE practical exams to the respective departments. Instead, he instructed teachers to use inappropriate means to procure necessary materials, compromising the integrity of the examination process. This failure to disburse funds as intended has placed an undue burden on teachers and has jeopardized the academic performance of students. The lack of proper funding for essential exams undermines the school’s commitment to providing a high-quality education and places students at a significant disadvantage.
9. Inadequate Nutrition for Students:
Mr. Barnes has issued directives to reduce the number of saucepans used in the dining hall, resulting in insufficient food for the approximately 1,000 boarding students, thereby compromising their nutritional needs and overall well-being. Adequate nutrition is essential for students’ health and academic performance, and the failure to provide sufficient food undermines the school’s responsibility to care for its students. This directive has had a direct and negative impact on students’ health, well-being, and academic performance. On 2nd July 2024, the kitchen staff were unable to prepare meals for the students because the staff member responsible for splitting firewood was under embargo. This situation resulted in significant confusion and disruption of meal services, necessitating intervention from several teaching staff to manage the ensuing commotion
10. Arbitrary Sanctions on Food Vendors:
Mr. Barnes has implemented arbitrary and unilateral suspensions of food vendors without proper communication or just cause. These actions have exacerbated the living conditions for day students and off-campus staff who rely on these vendors for their meals, adversely affecting their health and well-being. The arbitrary suspension of food vendors without due process or consideration of the needs of the school community creates a climate of uncertainty and hardship, undermining the essential support services that contribute to the welfare of students and staff.
11. Inappropriate Conduct Involving Female Students:
Mr. Barnes engaged in the inappropriate and discriminatory practice of requesting virgin girls to identify themselves in classrooms to reward them with Voltic bottled water. This incident created significant tension and speculation within the school community, damaging the institution’s reputation and trust. Such conduct is not only highly unprofessional but also violates the principles of equity and respect for students’ privacy and dignity. The incident has had a profound negative impact on the school’s environment, fostering distrust and discomfort among students and staff alike.
12. Misuse of School Bus:
Mr. Barnes has repurposed the school bus for private use, renting it out to individuals and organizations for various events. Despite collecting fees for these rentals, the bus has been neglected and left unsheltered, leading to its rapid deterioration. This misuse of school property for personal gain constitutes a breach of ethical leadership and fiduciary responsibility. The neglect of the bus, a critical asset for the school, has compromised its availability for essential school-related transportation needs, adversely affecting the students and staff who depend on it. ((see Exhibit “G” attached).
13. Neglect of Library Facility:
Following the removal of the library block’s roof, Mr. Barnes ignored directives from the Board of Directors to convert a classroom into a temporary library. As a result, library materials have been left to deteriorate, depriving students of essential academic resources. The failure to maintain and properly utilize library facilities has significantly hindered students’ access to educational materials, adversely affecting their academic development. The neglect of the library represents a gross mismanagement of educational resources and undermines the school’s mission to provide a comprehensive and supportive learning environment. (see Exhibit “D” attached).
14. Refusal to Allow School Vehicle to Convey Sick Student(s) to the Hospital:
Mr Barnes ever since he assumed office as the headmaster has never granted permission for a school official vehicle to convey any sick student to the hospital. This development has led to students having to either carry their follow student(s) to the hospital or seek for the assistance of a taxi. This, we believe has the potential of worsening the health status of a sick student in the foreseeable future and the school will definitely be in the news for the wrong reason.
15. Additionally, it is of significant concern that the headmaster, Mr. Francis Koomson Barnes, who reports suggest that he was scheduled to retire last year, continues to serve in his position. This situation raises serious issues regarding administrative oversight and compliance with the established retirement protocols. The continued tenure of Mr. Barnes beyond his retirement date suggests a potential lapse in governance and the enforcement of institutional policies. This not only undermines the integrity of the school’s administrative procedures but also sets a problematic precedent that may affect staff morale and the orderly transition of leadership roles. It is imperative that this matter is addressed promptly to ensure adherence to institutional norms and to maintain the credibility and smooth operation of the school’s administrative functions.
Conclusion
The teachers asserted that “the continued tenure of Mr. Francis Koomson Barnes as Headmaster poses a significant threat to the academic integrity and overall development of Attafuah Senior High Technical School. His actions have fostered an environment of fear, instability, and insecurity, contrary to the core values of an educational institution. Consequently, there is a growing sense of apathy among teachers, who are increasingly disengaged and disillusioned, which could lead to further confusion and turmoil if his transfer is not expedited”.
“Therefore, we, the undersigned members of Attafuah Senior High Technical School community, respectfully request a prompt investigation and subsequent removal or transfer of Mr. Francis Koomson Barnes. We believe this action is necessary to restore a positive and conducive learning environment for both students and staff”.
