Stop denying sick students exeat – NAGRAT to SHS Heads
The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has called on heads of senior high schools to allow students to seek external medical attention when necessary. This appeal follows a recent court ruling that found Achimota School liable for negligence in the death of a student eight years ago.
Achimota School has been ordered to pay GH¢600,000 in damages for the negligent death of Kervin Kofi Moses in 2016.
In an interview with Citi News, NAGRAT President Angel Carbonu emphasized the importance of school leaders allowing students to seek professional medical care promptly.
“When a student approaches you, you are not a medical professional, so you cannot determine if they are genuinely sick,” Carbonu stated. “You must refer the student to the appropriate professionals who have the competence to assess their condition. A housemaster or housemistress should not deny a student permission to visit the hospital.”
My Take: Having attended senior high school myself, I understand that sometimes students misuse medical excuses to avoid school. Even at home, children can be quite creative in coming up with excuses to get out of responsibilities. When students frequently refuse to use the school infirmary, teachers may start denying their requests for medical leave—not to harm them, but to maintain discipline. Unfortunately, this can sometimes result in genuine cases being overlooked.
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