Accra: Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), has attributed the growing trend of indiscipline in schools partly to the influence of new media. "Social media is impacting negatively on our children," he remarked, expressing concern about the erosion of Ghanaian culture and values through social media.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof Davis made these comments during a panel discussion on the sidelines of a national conference on tackling indiscipline in schools in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital. The conference, themed 'Stemming the Growing Indiscipline in Schools in an Emerging World,' aims to propose solutions and develop a roadmap to address indiscipline and transform the nation's education sector. Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, is expected to officially open the two-day event.
The conference will also focus on developing school safeguarding policies, guidelines, and codes of conduct for teachers and students. Participants include a wide array of stakeholders such as Directors of Education, teachers, parents, traditional and religious leaders, education managers, university vice-chancellors, Circuit Court judges, security service commanders, Members of Parliament (MPs), teacher unions, students, and officials from the GES, the Ministry of Education, and the Ghana TVET Service.
Prof Davis emphasized the need for collective action to ensure that foreign values do not overshadow Ghana's rich moral heritage. He stated that discipline is crucial for bridging education and societal transformation, and called for support from faith-based organizations and families to promote discipline among the youth in schools and society.
Mr. Joseph Addae Akwaboa, the Bono Regional Minister, stressed that discipline is foundational to the strength of educational institutions. He urged collective efforts to ensure the moral upbringing of students, noting that increasing cases of student bullying, substance abuse, and lawlessness threaten efforts to cultivate responsible and educated future citizens.
He further stated that the conference marks a pivotal moment in efforts to nurture morally upright students who will contribute significantly to national development. Mr. Akwaboa highlighted that the Government has introduced several interventions to create a conducive environment for student academic progress. He emphasized the importance of strengthening educational institutions through mentorship, creativity, innovation, skills development, and practical problem-solving, while instilling a high sense of discipline in students.