Protecting Learners, Preserving Trust: The Right Way to Conduct Searches in Schools

Ensuring safety in schools is vital for effective teaching and learning. In our schools, the responsibility for maintaining discipline and safeguarding students falls to teachers and head teachers. However, the practice of searching students or their belongings to ensure safety raises important questions related to legality, ethics, and human dignity.  According to Garner (2019), asearch in legal and educational parlance, refers to the intentional examination of individuals, their belongings, or property to discover prohibited or dangerous items.

Searches usually take place when there is suspicion that a student may have contraband, which might include weapons, drugs, stolen items, or prohibited goods such as mobile phones. Nevertheless, these searches must not infringe upon students’ constitutional rights or subject them to embarrassment. While Ghana seems not to have specific court rulings that delineate the standards for school searches, existing constitutional provisions and credible scholarly research offer a robust framework for determining what constitutes a lawful and ethical search. The article explores the legal, procedural, and human rights aspects of searches in Ghanaian schools and proposes guidelines to conduct searches in schools.

Legal and Policy Framework

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana serves as the paramount authority governing disciplinary actions in schools. Article 15(1) states that “the dignity of all persons shall be inviolable,” while Article 28(1)(d) prohibits any “cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment” of children. These clauses underscore that any search must honour the personal dignity and privacy of students. Although the Constitution does not provide explicit procedural guidelines for school searches, its focus on fairness and human rights offers essential guidance.

At the policy level, the Ghana Education Service (GES) Code of Conduct for Teachers and Educational Workers (2020) mandates that educators enforce discipline “fairly, reasonably, and professionally.” While the Code does not specify search procedures, its principles require that all student-related actions including inspections must be conducted with professionalism and reasonableness.

Additionally, Korankye-Sakyi, Faakye, and Atupare (2022) assert that the right to education in Ghana is legally enforceable, necessitating that school practices, including searches, align with principles of fairness and respect for rights. Abonyi and Salifu (2023) further illustrate the GES’s ongoing shift towards positive discipline aimed at reducing punitive practices. Collectively, these credible sources provide the constitutional and ethical foundation needed to conduct searches in a lawful and respectful manner.

When to Conduct a Search

Searches in our schools should never be arbitrary; they should only be conducted when there is reasonable suspicion that a student has infringed a school rule or possesses an item that endangers safety. Reasonable suspicion is substantiated by credible observations or reliable information indicating wrongdoing, rather than mere conjecture or bias. For instance, if a teacher sees a student hiding an object that resembles a prohibited item, it establishes reasonable grounds for a search.

In these situations, the aim of the search is preventive rather than punitive, focused on protecting the well-being of the student population instead of humiliating or criminalizing any individual. As noted by Abonyi and Salifu (2023), Ghanaian educational institutions are increasingly adopting disciplinary procedures that prioritize students’ rights. Consequently, searches should be viewed as part of the school’s broader duty of care rather than punitive measures.

Principles Guiding Searches

In the absence of specific case law in Ghana, four key principles derived from constitutional rights, and educational ethics should inform all searches in schools: reasonableness, proportionality, privacy, and documentation.

• Reasonableness: A search should begin with credible justification. As teachers or administrators, we must have reasonable suspicion based on factual observation or reliable information that a student has violated school regulations or possesses restricted items. There is the need to avoid arbitrary or biased searches as they contradict principles of fairness and human dignity.
• Proportionality: The extent and invasiveness of a search should correspond to the severity of the suspected violation. For instance, while examining a bag or locker may be appropriate when contraband is suspected, a physical search would likely be excessive and potentially degrading. This principle is supported by the Constitution’s protection of human dignity (Article 15).
• Privacy and Dignity: As school authorities it is important to conduct our searches discreetly, preferably in private, and in the presence of at least two adults one of whom should share the same gender as the student. This approach minimizes embarrassment, safeguards the student, and protects staff from accusations of misconduct. Both the Constitution and the GES Code emphasize respect and care for students.
• Documentation and Accountability: Every search should be recorded in a logbook. The record must include the justification for the search, the individuals involved, discoveries made, witnesses, and whether parental notification occurred. Documentation promotes transparency, prevents abuse, and serves as evidence of procedural fairness. As pointed out by Abonyi and Salifu (2023), poor recordkeeping can undermine school accountability, making thorough documentation vital.

Procedure for Conducting a Search

A structured approach ensures that searches adhere to ethical and legal standards:

• Observation and Reporting: A teacher or staff member observes suspicious behaviour or receives credible information and reports it to the head teacher.
• Assessment: The head teacher assesses the reasonableness of the suspicion.
• Notification: The student is informed courteously about the search’s rationale and encouraged to cooperate.
• Conducting the Search: The search is performed discreetly, witnessed by two staff members, and constrained to the suspected item or area.
• Documentation: The details-justification, participants, and outcomes are recorded immediately.
• Parental Notification: Parents or guardians are notified as soon as possible regarding the rationale and results of the search.
• Referral: If illegal items (such as weapons or drugs) are discovered, the matter is reported to the appropriate authorities in accordance with GES and the law.

This procedure would ensure transparency, protect students’ rights, and conform to Ghana’s constitutional and professional educational standards.

Legal Gaps and Need for Reform

Despite clear ethical and constitutional standards, Ghana presently lacks specific court decisions or statutory provisions governing school searches. As a result, the benchmarks for searches depend on the interpretation of constitutional rights, GES codes, and human rights frameworks. Korankye-Sakyi et al. (2022) emphasize that the lack of legal clarity highlights the necessity for courts and policymakers to explicitly define the parameters of school-based searches. Moreover, there is a need for empirical research into search practices and their impact on student trust and school climate. Future policy and academic efforts should concentrate on establishing comprehensive search guidelines rooted in legal, ethical, and educational psychology principles.

Conclusion

Searches in Ghanaian educational institutions are crucial for ensuring safety and maintaining discipline; however, they must consistently respect students’ constitutional rights. The 1992 Constitution, the GES Code of Conduct, and scholarly research (Abonyi & Salifu, 2023; Korankye-Sakyi et al., 2022) together affirm that lawful searches must be based on reasonable suspicion, proportional in nature, conducted discreetly, and thoroughly documented.

While the absence of judicial precedent presents challenges, these frameworks provide adequate guidance for ethical conduct. By prioritizing fairness, dignity, and accountability in school searches, educators would reinforce the rule of law and create safer, more humane learning environments. The path forward involves codifying these practices into explicit policies and conducting research to address existing legal gaps. Only then can the principles of school safety coexist harmoniously with students’ rights and human dignity.

WRITTEN BY: WISDOM KOUDJO KLU, EDUCATION EXPERT/COLUMNIST, GREATER ACCRA REGION.

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