Political scientist and Head of the Centre for European Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr Kwame Asah-Asante, has questioned what could have provoked a teacher to physically assault a student, arguing that educators have a responsibility to exercise restraint regardless of the circumstances.
Speaking on Joy News following the circulation of a viral video showing a female student being assaulted by a teacher at Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School, Dr Asah-Asante said he found the footage difficult to watch.
“I was watching it with so much difficulty that what on earth would elicit such a response from a teacher?” he asked.
The incident led to the arrest of 39-year-old Eric Buernortey Apaflo, a teacher and hostel caretaker at the school.
Police say preliminary investigations indicate that the confrontation arose after the teacher challenged the student and some male students over alleged misconduct at the hostel.
For Dr Asah-Asante, the central issue is professional responsibility.
“As teachers, we owe the children a duty of care. We have to care for them. So it doesn’t matter the provocation, you should restrain yourself,” he said.
He argued that teachers are expected to follow established disciplinary procedures rather than take matters into their own hands.
“If you’re a teacher, whatever provocation, you go and report to your superior. This person did this, this and this. That’s it.”
“The teacher, it doesn’t matter what. You have to restrain yourself because you know better. And then the children also, you owe them a duty of protection,” he stated.
