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Head of Psychology of University of Ghana, Prof. Joseph Osafo has supported President Nana Akufo-Addo's call for clemency for some 14 SHS students who rained insults on him after writing their Integrated Science final examination.

GES Punishes The Students

The Ghana Education Service (GES) dismissed and barred the students from writing the rest of the WASSCE papers because of their misconduct.

The students together with some teachers who were tasked to invigilate them during the examination were all punished by the GES.

Students who dismantled properties belonging to their schools have been surcharged for the full cost of the damages and referred to the Police to launch a full-scale investigation into the matter.

''It is expected that these measures, very harsh as they might seem, are necessary to ensure that the students appreciate the significance of good conduct and discipline in their actions'', a statement by the GES read.

President Akufo-Addo Pleads For Leniency

Following GES' sanctions, President Akufo-Addo pleaded with the education authority to allow the students to write their final exams.

In a statement signed by the Director of Communications Office of the President, Eugene Arhin, all other punishments imposed by the relevant authorities should remain effective.

"Even though the acts of indiscipline undertaken by these students are intolerable, acts which have led to their subsequent dismissal from school, President Akufo-Addo is of the firm view that dismissal alone is enough punishment, and will serve as enough deterrent against future acts of indiscipline," the statement said.

Pardon The Students

Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Prof. Joseph Osafo applauded the President for giving the school children a second chance.

He stressed that although they have misbehaved, it's best for the education authorities to be reformative in their approach than taking harsh decisions on the students.

''I think that when people are in the reformative stages in their development, they need modification...Even animals are domesticated. Humans can change when they're given a second chance.''

He added that the students must not be crucified but rather the authorities should ask themselves certain questions that may lead them to a more plausible solution.

''Under which circumstances are the students behaving like this. Which period, which time, what happened? Is there anything we can do to pardon these school children and give them another chance? I mean I ask myself a few questions. What led the children to do what they did? Are they frustrated? Do we have the data about them when they were going back to the school?'' he questioned.

He asked the authorities and parents of the students to help them turn over a new leaf saying ''parenting children and helping them get responsible is work. And for me, I think it's a good job for all of us to help these kids''.