The Regional Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) in the Upper East Region, Richard Akumbase, says the type of students admitted into Senior High Schools contributes to cases of unrest and indiscipline in schools.
Speaking on A1 Radio’s Daybreak Upper East programme, Mr. Akumbase said some students enter Senior High Schools without the basic academic foundation required to cope with the demands of secondary education, making it difficult for them to participate effectively in lessons and adjust to school life.
He explained that students who struggle with reading, writing, and basic calculations often lose interest in learning because they find academic activities challenging.
“The reason why these riots are also taking place in our schools is because of the type of children that we take in the school,” he said.
Mr. Akumbase added that when students are unable to cope academically, their motivation to learn declines because they struggle with classroom exercises, answering questions, and participating in lessons. He said academic confidence is key to sustaining students’ interest in learning, noting that learners are more motivated when they are able to understand lessons and perform well in class.
“Students get motivated if they can read and write, if they are doing well in class. Now, if students are not doing well in class, their motivation to want to learn is not there,” he said.
The CHASS Chairman noted that some students who realise they are unlikely to succeed academically may engage in misconduct as a way of avoiding the perception that they have failed.
He called for greater efforts to strengthen pupils’ foundational skills at the basic education level and urged parents and schools to work together to provide the academic and emotional support students need to succeed.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz| Simon Ayamdoo | Bolgatanga
