In the wake of the recent schools riots amongst students in various Senior High Schools in the Upper East Region, three schools have been shutdown temporarily.
The schools Include Sandema Senior High-Technical School, Saint Benedict Senior High School, and Kongo Senior High School.
The situation which various heads of second cycle institutions describe as worrisome prompted a meeting with the Upper East Regional Minister, Patience Paulina Abayage to deliberate with her on ways to prevent students riots and how to address them when they happen.
At the meeting, it was suggested that every School Cadet will henceforth seize to operate as campus security since it was identified to be one of the factors contributing to students riots in schools.
Speaking to the media, the Upper East Region Minister, explained that despite putting hold on the school Cadet, teachers and heads of schools are expected to open up intelligence gathering channels as that will help them know what their students are thinking about.
She also noted that heads and teachers should always be fair and firm in their judgements, as that will help in bringing cooperation between them and their students.
“School authorities should always make sure that they are fair and firm in all instances. You can punish two students who have committed the same crime differently and they will all appreciate the action against them.” She added.
The meeting brought together all heads of Second Cycle Institutions and Districts Directors of Eduction in the Upper East Region.
Mr. Augustine Ayirezang, who is the Upper East Regional Director of Education, also added that some of the problems that various schools are facing are being deliberated upon by the Education Directorate and was hopeful that the outcome will directly or indirectly help to end students riots in the schools.
He again noted that though many schools have low numbers of Guidance and Counseling Teachers, there are measures address the situation and pleaded with heads of institutions and teachers to play their guidance and counselling roles to help prevent students from misbehaving.
“…as school leaders, we have to take up challenges and address things that are going wrong, it is about leadership. I therefore encourage all heads of institutions to be active in their dealings and making sure that their schools are firmly under control.” He added.
The meeting however did not give timeline as to when students should be reporting back to their respective schools and whether or not those who are on vacation are affected.
Source: A1radioonline.com | Moses Apiah | Ghana
