Deputy Minister for Education Dr. Clement Apaak has assured heads of second-cycle institutions that the government will support them in enforcing school regulations and sanctioning students for misconduct, provided they act within approved rules.
Addressing the 5th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS) in Koforidua, Dr. Apaak urged school heads to enforce regulations firmly and fairly without fear of intimidation.
Dr. Apaak, who represented Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, said the Ministry of Education recognises the growing challenge of indiscipline in schools and is prepared to support school leaders who act within established rules and regulations.
“I want to assure you, without reservation, that you have the fullest backing of the Honourable Minister and the Ministry of Education in doing so. Where you act within the rules to enforce discipline and sanction students engaged in indisciplinary conduct, government stands squarely behind you,” he stated.
He described student indiscipline as a growing concern that threatens effective teaching and learning and urged school heads to act promptly when misconduct occurs.
“I urge every headteacher in this hall not to wait to act. Enforce the rules of your schools firmly and fairly, today and every day,” he said.
Dr. Apaak said disciplinary measures are necessary to correct student behaviour, protect learners and teachers, and preserve the authority of school management.
According to him, effective education delivery requires both good governance and appropriate disciplinary measures.
“Good governance and firm, fair discipline are two sides of the same coin, and neither can succeed without the other,” he noted.
Dr. Apaak said concerns about indiscipline had also informed the Education Minister’s decision to lead a separate national conference on the issue in Sunyani around the same period as the COHBS conference.
He acknowledged, however, that schools cannot address indiscipline alone and called for stronger collaboration among parents, religious organisations, traditional leaders and communities to promote responsible behaviour among young people.
The Deputy Minister also urged school heads to embrace their roles as governance and instructional leaders, saying their leadership is critical to improving learning outcomes and implementing the government’s education reforms.
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