Opposition lawmaker for Builsa South Dr Clement Apaak has said that it appears indiscipline among students in senior high schools has gone up due to the implementation of the free senior high school (Free SHS) programme.
Dr Apaak said that with the free SHS policy, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) arrangement has been relegated to the background.
Parents, he said, are no longer able to play a role in instilling discipline among the students in school.
Speaking on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 Thursday, July 27 in relation to the alleged assault on a student that took place at the Adisadel College, Dr Apaak who is a member of the select committee on education said this has been a concern for the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT).
“These developments are worrying and unfortunate but let me be quick to add that while in the past we have heard and seen acts of indiscipline there seems to be an upsurge, particularly in the last few years. Even before these instances, we heard of situations where students beat up teachers, beat up exam invigilators, and supervisors. Some even went on to destroy properties and destroyed the farms of a headteacher because they were being prevented from cheating.
“It is beginning to seem as though with the introduction of the free SHS policy, there has been an emergence of indiscipline. Don’t take it from me, I have heard the leadership of NAGRAT complain that their members have constantly given instances where they are unable or are constrained in terms of disciplining students.
“I will want to add that perhaps one of the reasons why we are seeing degeneration as far as indiscipline on the campuses of our secondary schools is concerned is also this relegation of parent-teacher association to the background.
“With the introduction of the Free SHS policy, the role of PTAs has largely become voluntary, many parents are no longer engaged, and they are not participating. In the past where parents were actively engaged in helping managers of the schools to manage the schools to enforce discipline, I believe it has suffered.”
Earlier this week, the Housemaster of Quaque House at Adisadel College was interdicted pending investigations into a viral video involving two students.
The video showed the two students – with one holding tightly the neck of the other and hitting his (victim’s) head against the metallic bed frame. Immediately, the victim’s face gets swollen.
The school’s administration took immediate punitive actions, one of them being the interdiction of Ekow Holman.
“I regret to inform you that you have been relieved from your position as Quaque Housemaster with immediate effect,” a letter dated Monday, July 24 and signed by the Headmaster, Samuel Kofi Agudogo opened.
“You may be reinstated as a housemaster based on the outcome of investigations.”
The letter pointed out that Mr Holman “did not deliver as expected of you as housemaster as far as this video is concerned”.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) condemned the incident, applauding the school’s authorities for the swift punitive actions taken.
“Ghana Education Service assures the general public that we are taking this matter very seriously and are committed to ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for all students across the country.”
Meanwhile, the Cape Coast District Court 2 has adjourned the case involving the student of Adisadel College seen in a viral video allegedly assaulting his colleague, to 2nd August 2023.