Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has assured heads of second-cycle institutions that the government will fully support them in enforcing discipline and maintaining order in schools.
Addressing the 5th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS) in Koforidua, Dr. Apaak, who represented the Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, urged headteachers to apply school regulations firmly and fairly without fear of intimidation.
He said the Ministry of Education recognises the growing challenge of indiscipline in schools and is prepared to stand with school leaders who act within the approved rules and regulations.
“I want to assure you, without reservation, that you have the fullest backing of the Honourable Minister and the Ministry of Education in doing so. Where you act within the rules to enforce discipline and sanction students engaged in indisciplinary conduct, government stands squarely behind you,” he stated.
Dr. Apaak described indiscipline among students as a growing national concern that threatens the quality of teaching and learning, urging school heads to take timely action whenever misconduct occurs.
“I urge every headteacher in this hall not to wait to act. Enforce the rules of your schools firmly and fairly, today and every day,” he said.
He emphasised that disciplinary measures were necessary not only to correct student behaviour but also to protect the safety of learners, teachers and the authority of school management.
According to him, effective education delivery requires a balance between good governance and firm but fair discipline.
“Good governance and firm, fair discipline are two sides of the same coin, and neither can succeed without the other,” he noted.
Dr. Apaak further revealed that the seriousness of school indiscipline has informed the Education Minister’s decision to lead a separate national conference on the issue in Sunyani, held around the same period as the COHBS conference.
He, however, acknowledged that schools cannot address indiscipline alone and called for stronger collaboration among parents, religious organisations, traditional leaders and communities to help shape responsible behaviour among young people.
The Deputy Minister also encouraged school heads to embrace their expanding roles as governance and instructional leaders, stressing that their leadership remains central to improving learning outcomes and successfully implementing government’s education reforms.
His comments come amid increasing national discussions on student behaviour, school authority and the need for stronger partnerships between educational institutions and communities to restore discipline in Ghana’s schools.
Source: bolgafmonline.com|102.7 MHz| Moses Apiah| Koforidua
