The Minister for Education has disclosed government will convene a National Conference on indiscipline in pre-tertiary schools before the end of July as part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle the growing cases of violence, drug abuse, examination malpractice, and student misconduct across Ghana.
Hon Haruna Iddrisu disclosed this in Parliament while responding to a question from the Member of Parliament for Offinso North, Kingsley Nyarko, who sought an update on measures being implemented to curb rising indiscipline in senior high schools.
Describing the situation as deeply worrying, Haruna Iddrisu said recent incidents involving students carrying firearms, trafficking narcotic drugs, destroying school property and attacking teachers pose a serious threat to Ghana’s education system.
Also read:Â Okyenhene sounds dire warning over flooding, drug abuse and national indiscipline
“The incidence of indiscipline in our educational institutions is alarming. When you see a Ghanaian student wield a gun in a secondary school, that cannot be the training of a Ghanaian child,” the Minister told Parliament.
He stressed that restoring discipline should not be left to schools alone but must become a national responsibility involving parents, teachers, religious organisations, traditional authorities and education stakeholders.
According to the Minister, the planned conference will assemble education experts, teacher unions, faith-based organisations, academics and policymakers to develop practical recommendations for reversing the growing trend of indiscipline.
He noted that the conference forms part of broader efforts to strengthen values-based education and restore respect for authority in schools.
Haruna Iddrisu disclosed that the Ministry of Education is reviewing existing disciplinary policies to empower the Ghana Education Service (GES) to take firmer action against students involved in serious misconduct.
“We may have to rethink and review our punishment regime and clothe the Ghana Education Service with authority to deal ruthlessly with any student who misbehaves,” he stated.
The Minister revealed that three major policy documents are nearing completion. They include a Behavioural Standards Guide for Learners, a revised Teachers’ Code of Conduct and a National Safe Schools Policy, all aimed at improving discipline and ensuring safer learning environments.
He cited several recent incidents that underscore the urgency of the reforms, including reports of students allegedly dealing in marijuana on school campuses, the destruction of CCTV cameras at Prempeh College, and the assault of a teacher supervising a West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) paper after refusing to assist candidates.
He argued that changes to school disciplinary practices over the years may have weakened deterrence and contributed to rising misconduct among students.
Prof. Kingsley Nyarko welcomed the Minister’s commitment and urged the Ministry to expedite implementation of the proposed reforms.
The Education Minister informed Parliament that he would present a comprehensive ministerial statement outlining the outcomes of the planned national conference and the government’s roadmap for restoring discipline in Ghana’s schools.
The proposed reforms are expected to trigger a nationwide conversation on balancing student rights with discipline while strengthening the authority of school administrators to maintain order and protect teaching and learning.