In an incident that quickly went viral the minute it was posted on social media, a teacher at Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School (SHS) in the Ashanti Region became the topic of the debate on self-defense and assault, after a video showed him in a physical confrontation with a female student. The teacher, Eric Buernortey Apaflo, 39, who also served as the hostel caretaker, was arrested but later released after the case was struck out in court.
The Incident
The altercation occurred at the school's hostel. According to police reports and multiple news sources, Apaflo confronted an 18-year-old Form Three student, Patience Chibu, along with some male students, over alleged misconduct at the hostel.
Some reports indicate it stemmed from outstanding hostel fees, with the teacher demanding payment, leading to escalating tensions. Police statements emphasize a confrontation over "alleged misconduct" involving the student and others.
But after listening to a United TV reporter who interviewed the teacher:
This is the teacher’s account;The teacher claimed that he confronted the student(Patience Chibu) on
why she went out last night and in response she decided to throw a stone at the teacher and he defended
himself.
Reporter said he’s yet to hear from the girl, but from report from insiders at the hospital, the girl is pleading for misbehaving.
The viral video, which circulated widely on social media, showed Apaflo and the student engaged in a heated
struggle. Witnesses described the teacher punching the student, lifting her, and throwing her to the ground.
Onlookers, including other students, were heard pleading with him to stop.
Many viewers noted it appeared as a mutual fight rather than a one-sided assault, with comments describing
"two adults wrestling" and the female student initially holding her own before being overpowered. The
teacher reportedly faced immediate backlash from students, who allegedly pelted him with stones and called
in local youth to confront him, prompting police intervention.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Apaflo was arrested by the Nyinahini District Police Patrol Team on June 8, 2026, around 7:00 p.m. The
Ashanti Regional Police Command confirmed the arrest, and released a medical report on the female student’s
health status
The Ghana Education Service (GES) also confirmed the incident and launched an investigation. The video
garnered a lot of reactions, with many condemning the teacher's use of physical force against a student.
However, teachers at the school, backed by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in the Ashanti
Region, rallied in support of their colleague. They demanded his release on bail and threatened to boycott
the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) if he was not freed, citing concerns
over due process and student indiscipline.
Court Decision and Release
On June 10, 2026, the Toase District Court struck out the case, effectively ending the legal proceedings
because we all thought it was going to a lot of back and forth. Both parties were encouraged to reconcile
the case out of court. Reports indicate the student has since apologized.
While The GES regional directorate has assured the public that it will investigate the matter, we
internally, we cant help but think about the safety of children in school, with the high rise of
indiscipline.
Broader Context and Reactions
The case has reopened the topic on discipline in Ghanaian schools, teacher-student dynamics, and the challenges of enforcing discipline in hostels. While many bashed the teacher for resorting to violence, others argued that students, particularly final-year ones, sometimes exhibit defiance, and that the video context (incomplete) showed provocation on both sides.
