Nat’l Conference on Indiscipline: We’ll develop national code of conduct for schools – Dr. Apaak

The government will develop a national code of conduct for schools as part of efforts to address rising indiscipline and strengthen positive behaviour nationwide.

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, announced the plan at the closing ceremony of the National Conference on Stemming the Growing Indiscipline in Schools in an Emerging World, held in Sunyani on Thursday.

He said the two-day conference had moved beyond identifying the causes of indiscipline to agreeing on practical, actionable solutions to guide reforms across the education sector.

“Together, as stakeholders, we will harmonise a national code of conduct that aligns communal values with school rules,” he said.

He explained that the proposed framework would form part of broader efforts to promote discipline through collaboration among government, parents, teachers, students, traditional authorities and other stakeholders.

Dr. Apaak further disclosed that the government would introduce measures to strengthen accountability across schools.

“We will define a social contract that sets out student rights, parental accountability and peer-led discipline, backed by stronger counselling services in every school. We will empower headteachers and teachers with clearer governance structures, and pair proportionate sanctions with meaningful incentives for good behaviour.”

According to him, the conference reached a consensus on policy measures covering acceptable conduct, stakeholder responsibilities, counselling, legal safeguards, governance, and human resource management, stressing that implementation would require the commitment of all stakeholders rather than the government alone.

The Deputy Minister reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to safe learning environments, positive discipline and evidence-based policymaking.

He urged participants to champion the agreed reforms in their communities, stressing that lasting change depended on individuals living the values they expected from students.

“As a Ministry, we remain committed to safe schools, to protecting the dignity of our teachers, to positive discipline, to learner wellbeing, and to evidence-informed policymaking. Education without values cannot transform a nation; character matters every bit as much as competence,” he said.