By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Deputy Minister for Education, Dr Clement Apaak, has raised concerns over increasing cases of indiscipline and violent misconduct in pre-tertiary schools across the country.
Speaking during a panel discussion on Newsfile, Dr Apaak said the Ministry of Education continues to deal with a wide range of incidents, including student violence, attacks on teachers and members of host communities, examination-related violence and the possession of offensive weapons on school campuses.
According to him, some of the incidents involve clashes among students during sporting and social activities, while others involve confrontations between students and residents of communities where schools are located.
He disclosed that there have also been cases where students caught engaging in examination malpractice mobilised and attacked invigilators, with some carrying machetes.
“We receive various forms of indiscipline and misconduct, ranging from student-on-student violence in the same institutions, clashes during sporting and social competitions, attacks on members of host communities, and even students caught engaging in examination malpractice mobilising to attack invigilators with machetes. We have also discovered offensive weapons in students’ luggage,” he said.
Dr Apaak stressed that ensuring security in schools remains a core responsibility of the state, with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training Service (GTVET) responsible for enforcing regulations in the pre-tertiary sector.
He noted that there are existing codes of conduct for both students and teachers, which provide for disciplinary measures depending on the nature and severity of offences committed.
According to him, the ministry has collaborated with law enforcement agencies in handling criminal cases involving students. He said some students who assaulted teachers had been arrested, prosecuted and, in some cases, fined or jailed.
He added that disciplinary measures within schools include suspension and expulsion, depending on the gravity of the offence.
“For criminal offences, when they take the dimension of criminal prosecution, then of course, a sentence can be brought down,” he stated.
Dr Apaak said the ministry would continue to work within existing structures to address the challenges and called on school authorities, parents and communities to play active roles in promoting discipline and ensuring the safety of students.
