The Ghana Education Service (GES) has voiced alarm at the growing prevalence of tattooing, multiple piercings, and skin bleaching among students, describing it as a “worrying trend.”
In addition, the GES has expressed serious concerns about teenage pregnancies and cohabitation, citing their negative impact on students’ academic endeavors, particularly young girls.
During visits to various districts in the Central Region as part of the ‘Life Skills Programme,’ Priscilla Christabel Eshun, the Central Regional Girls Education Officer of the GES, noted with surprise that some students had noticeable tattoos with unconventional names and meanings.
These observations were presented during the Second Quarter Sub-Implementing Partners (IPs) Review Meeting on sexual and gender-based violence, facilitated by the Regional Coordinating Council with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Eshun highlighted instances where students had excessively bleached their skin, leading to peeling and unpleasant odors.
“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 mentioned the prevalence of multiple ear piercings among students, attributing these trends to fashion without considering the potential health and socio-economic consequences.
Furthermore, Eshun disclosed that many boys had dropped out of school and were operating tricycles, with investigations revealing that girls were associating with these boys for financial support.
“Regrettably, many girls are enticed into such relationships for financial gain, using the money to purchase sanitary pads and other personal items,” Eshun revealed.
Expressing regret over these developments, Eshun emphasized that the GES prohibits tattooing, multiple piercings, and skin bleaching according to its Code of Conduct for pre-tertiary school students.
“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 reiterated the importance of students dressing neatly, adhering to prescribed dress codes, avoiding accessories like chains and bracelets, and maintaining a decent haircut as defined by school authorities.
“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.”