Educationist, psychologist and senior lecturer at the University of Education Winneba, Mr Samuel Zigah has stated that the current generation of leaders has “lost it”, arguing that this failure is encouraging wayward behaviour among children across the country, especially in Senior High Schools.
According to him, children have come to the realisation that “nothing is working” and that bad behaviour is often pardoned, giving them the moral licence to misbehave.
Mr Zigah made the comments on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM following violent clashes between students of Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region.
More than 10 students have been arrested in connection with the attacks, which left several school facilities burnt and at least six students injured.
He hinted that teachers are now afraid to discipline students for fear of retaliation by parents and relatives, further weakening school authority and discipline.
Mr Zigah stressed that if everyone, especially leaders, did what is right, there would be greater peace and order in the country.
To him, the current situation reflects how terribly law and order has deteriorated.
“Our students are learning from our leaders who misbehave without any punishment. When politicians misbehave and are arrested, we have men and women who are supposed to be sensible and know better take to the streets and protest, demanding the release of these lawless politicians. This has encouraged students in our schools to misbehave because they know they will not be punished. Discipline is no longer in existence. The family system is broken. We are no longer disciplining our children. Teachers are now afraid to discipline students for fear of retaliation by parents and relatives, further weakening school authority and discipline.”
He added that even when students misbehave and are sent to court, they are easily pardoned for their wrongdoing, describing the trend as unhealthy.
Mr Zigah warned that the nation will soon witness a scenario where students kill their teachers, by which time little can be done to address the issue.
“We should allow the teachers to have the authority in disciplining students who misbehave. If not, we will have students who will kill their teachers, and then we will begin to ask ourselves what we could have done to prevent that. Parents and guardians should also warn their wards that they will have nothing to do with them if they get entangled with the law due to their misconduct.”
When asked if corporal punishment should be reintroduced, he rather proposed a system where teachers can punish students in a manner that is not excessive, but serves as a deterrent.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
