The Executive Director of Educate Africa, Mr. William Boadi, asserts that the recent influx of drugs in schools—especially secondary schools—is a clear signal of falling discipline.
He notes that teachers have been rendered virtually powerless, causing indiscipline to spike across institutions. Students are increasingly misbehaving because the educators who once maintained order have been stripped of their authority to discipline them.
In addition to systemic issues, Mr. Boadi indicates that students who misbehave on campus often lack proper home training. He explains that some of these students live with guardians or friends rather than parents, which creates a further challenge for cultivating discipline.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he questioned whether the nation witnessed these extreme levels of indiscipline, violence, and drug use back when corporal punishment was actively in place.
Consequently, he is calling for a broad stakeholder consultation to determine whether returning to corporal punishment could help address these pressing societal challenges.
Warning that the situation will escalate if left unchecked, he emphasizes the urgent need for a widespread attitudinal change. Furthermore, he urges the Ghana Education Service (GES) to grant teachers a stronger mandate so they can effectively discipline unruly students on campus.
“GES should consider reviewing its rules and guidelines to make teachers more powerful so it can help in disciplining students.”
Mr. Boadi also charges parents to step up and be more responsible, noting that parental irresponsibility has become far too common, with many parents completely abandoning their duties.
He warns that the drugs circulating on campus could very well be introduced by fellow students.
He stresses that there should no longer be any room for students to misbehave, engage in drug abuse, or indulge in other social vices.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana