The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) is deeply troubled by the alarming increase in indiscipline within our pre-tertiary education system.
Reports of violence, brutality, and even murder in senior high schools are deeply concerning and raise serious questions about the direction in which our educational institutions are headed.
Schools, which should be places for nurturing knowledge, character, and safety, are increasingly becoming environments of fear and unrest.
We must ask: What has gone wrong? Is it the erosion of values, the weakening of disciplinary structures, or the breakdown in the school-home-community relationship?
Whatever the root cause, the consequences are far-reaching and demand urgent attention. Parents are left questioning the safety and well-being of their children in schools that are entrusted with their growth and development.
To address this crisis, a multifaceted approach involving all stakeholders is required.
Regular guidance and counseling services should be implemented in schools to help address the psychological and emotional issues faced by students.
Monthly counseling sessions can provide a structured platform for students to express their concerns and receive necessary support.
Strengthening the parent-teacher relationship is equally crucial, as it will enable teachers to monitor and address student behavior effectively.
Additionally, mandatory searches upon entry and surprise inspections of students’ personal belongings can help deter the introduction of unwanted items in schools.
Mental health awareness programs should also be prioritized to address the growing psychological needs of students.
Moreover, historical practices like Saturday inspections, which have proven effective in curbing indiscipline, should be reintroduced.
A collaborative management approach, where the central government works alongside religious bodies that run faith-based schools, could further enhance the effectiveness of oversight.
Religious bodies can focus on qualitative aspects such as school inspections, teaching standards, and moral guidance, while the government handles quantitative concerns like teacher salaries, infrastructure development, and resource provision.
This division of labor has the potential to yield positive outcomes in creating a safer and more productive learning environment.
GNECC strongly condemns the increasing violence in our schools and calls for immediate and sustained action to safeguard the future of our children and the development of our nation.