The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has expressed deep sadness and concern over the tragic incident at O’Reilly Senior High School (SHS) that resulted in the death of a student.
GNAT General Secretary, Thomas Musah described the event as a wake-up call for all stakeholders to prioritize discipline in schools.
According to him, the root cause of the problem lies in the lack of empowerment for teachers to maintain discipline in the classroom.
He lamented that, teachers have been rendered powerless due to strict rules imposed by the Ghana Education Service (GES), which limit their ability to enforce discipline.
“Teachers are now unable to take decisive action to maintain order and discipline in schools,” Mr. Musah said. “The GES rules have tied our hands, making it difficult for us to ensure a conducive learning environment.”
The GNAT General Secretary emphasized that discipline is essential for effective learning and character development.
He called on the government and the GES to review their policies and provide teachers with the necessary support and autonomy to enforce discipline in schools.
“We need to go back to the basics and empower teachers to take charge of their classrooms. Only then can we create an environment that fosters academic excellence, character development, and the well-being of our students” Mr. Musah urged.
The incident at O’Reilly SHS has sent shockwaves through the education sector, highlighting the need for urgent attention to discipline in schools.
GNAT’s call to action is a clarion call for all stakeholders to join forces and ensure that schools become safe and productive learning environments for all students.
Source: Kodwo Mensah Aboroampa
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