Some Parents and guardians in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have called for the return of corporal punishment in schools to address the growing concerns of indiscipline among students.
They said the increasing cases of students showing disrespect to teachers and engaging in unruly behaviour have raised alarms among educators and many others in the municipality and beyond.
Madam Celestine Dzifa Dzivor, a parent of five, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, expressed frustration with the current state of indiscipline among students, citing the instances where students have assaulted their teachers without fear of any consequences, and charged authorities to reinstate corporal punishment as a means to maintain order and discipline in schools.
“Discipline of olden days should be brought back; teachers must be given the authority and the full backing to punish any child who is going wayward,” she said.
She explained that many parents within the Keta enclave have agreed that the lack of discipline was one of the contributing factors that caused the level of decline in academic performance and social behaviour among students.
She said, despite the controversy surrounding corporal punishment, many parents believed that it could be an effective means of maintaining discipline and instilling values in children, adding that “children these days are too unruly, and they need a firm hand to guide them.
“The return of corporal punishment comes amidst growing concerns about the impact of social media on student behaviour. We believe that exposure to violent and explicit content online is also contributing to the rise in indiscipline among students.”
Mr Seth Megayor, a teacher, said that the indiscipline level among many young students was attributed to causes such as peer influence, improper parental care, copying of celebrities, among others, and urged parents to play a vital role in modelling children at home.
He expressed support for the return of corporal punishment and cited the need for a more effective means of disciplining students.
Some other educators have also emphasised that corporal punishment should be used judiciously and in conjunction with other disciplinary measures, he said.
The Ghana Education Service has further acknowledged the concerns of parents and teachers and stated the commitment to promote positive discipline in schools and emphasised the need for a balanced approach that prioritise guidance and counselling over punishment.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers, the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, among other teacher unions, have welcomed the debate and pledged to work with stakeholders to promote positive discipline in schools.
They urged the government to provide the necessary resources and support to schools to address the issue of indiscipline and promote a culture of respect and obedience among students. The issue of indiscipline in schools was considered a pressing concern that required a collaborative effort to resolve.
As the nation awaits a solution, parents and teachers remain hopeful that the authorities will take decisive action to restore discipline in schools, as well as prioritising guidance and counselling services to support students to promote positive behaviour.
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