President John Dramani Mahama has expressed deep concern about the escalating levels of indiscipline in Senior High Schools (SHSs) nationwide, describing the trend as a threat to the country’s educational system.
His remarks come amid mounting pressure from the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), which has issued a stark ultimatum to government to address the rapidly deteriorating discipline among students by the end of the month or risk protective action from teachers against violent students.
Addressing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference at the Jubilee House, President Mahama stressed the urgent need for collective and collaborative efforts to reverse the worrying trend.
“There is a breakdown of values and morals, and that is creating serious issues in our schools,” he stated.
Highlighting specific incidents, the President revealed, “There have been cases where students are found with guns in our public schools. We also have the situation where a student nearly lost her eyesight after another student fired a gun. Such incidents are unacceptable and must be addressed with all seriousness.”
President Mahama also raised critical questions about the broader challenges facing the education sector.
He questioned how key issues such as curriculum design, moral education, student discipline, and teacher absenteeism are being tackled.
“So, what do we do about our curriculum, moral education, discipline, and teacher absenteeism? The inspectorate division of the Ghana Education Service (GES) cannot be everywhere at the same time to ensure that teachers are in school,” he noted.
The President called for strengthened cooperation between the GES and faith-based institutions to improve accountability and enhance monitoring in schools.
“How can we collaborate with the churches and find out whether the teachers who have been posted to these schools are actually going to school and teaching? I think collaboration will help solve the issue,” he added.
By: Kwadwo Owusu
