Gonu: The Moral Entrepreneurial Group (MEG), a civic group, has attributed the rising student indiscipline to weak parental guidance and poor school oversight. It urged families and teachers to share the responsibility of shaping children's behaviour, before campus misconducts escalated into wider violence.
According to Ghana News Agency, Ms Lilly Braine-Jesuane, leader of the Moral Entrepreneurial Group, stated that early character development at home remains the foundation for responsible behaviour. She emphasized that many parents fail to instil 'inner discipline,' a self-driven ability for individuals to act responsibly without the fear of punishment.
In an interview, Ms Braine-Jesuane noted that while people often blame teachers for not caning students when they misbehave, inner discipline should be cultivated long before children enter formal schooling. She urged a re-evaluation of the 'spare the rod and spoil the child' mantra, advocating against its interpretation as a call for corporal punishment.
Ms Braine-Jesuane called on parents to address harmful behaviours early, nurturing children with affection and avoiding negligence over mistakes. She also encouraged teachers to strengthen positive reinforcement and create supportive learning environments, reducing reliance on caning and helping to develop students' full personalities.
She condemned the recent violent clash between students of Obrachire Senior High Technical School and the Swedru School of Business during an inter-schools' athletics competition in Agona Swedru, describing it as evidence of social and institutional behaviour gaps. Furthermore, she commended the Ghana Education Service, Ghana Police Service, and parents for their swift actions in restoring calm.