Reverend Patrick Tuffour, Secretary of Ghana National Association of Teachers in the Mampong Municipality, has called on the Saint Monica’s College of Education to allow five pregnant students to write their final exams.

He said the Association was aware of the decision by the authorities of the school to disallow pregnant students from taking part in the final exams beginning in July this year because it was against their code of conduct.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Reverend Tuffour expressed sympathy for the students whose fate was in the balance as they would not be sent on postings by the Ghana Education Service (GES) if they do not write the impending exams.

He said the development was worrying as it was general knowledge that the GES was already challenged with the high attrition rate of teachers as well as existing teacher shortages in several areas in the country.

Reverend Tuffour said consideration is needed for these unfortunate ladies who in spite of their status have diligently prepared for the approaching exams.

He wondered why pregnant girls in Junior and Senior High Schools were allowed to write final exams when found in similar conditions, but a tertiary institution like the Saint Monica College would deny the rights of its adult students.

Reverend Tuffour appealed to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education and the GES to intervene in the matter and help reverse the decision taken by the College.