School indiscipline linked to substance abuse, social media calls for collective action – Dr. Apaak 

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has raised concerns about growing cases of indiscipline in Ghanaian schools, identifying peer pressure, substance abuse, social media and weakening parental supervision as some of the factors driving the problem.

Speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebration of Zamse Senior High/Technical School (ZAMSTECH) in Bolgatanga on Saturday, October 3, 2026, Dr. Apaak said tackling the challenge requires a collective response from parents, teachers, traditional and religious leaders and security agencies.

“In July, government brought together teachers, parents, traditional and religious leaders and our security agencies for a National Conference on Stemming the Growing Indiscipline in Schools,” he said.

According to Dr. Apaak, the conference established that student indiscipline has multiple causes and therefore requires a coordinated national response.

“One truth emerged clearly from that conference: indiscipline in our schools is not one problem with one cause, but a shared national failure that only a shared national response can correct,” he stated.

He identified “Peer pressure, substance abuse, the darker corners of social media, weakening supervision at home, and a fading transmission of communal values” as contributing factors.

Dr. Apaak said government remains committed to positive discipline, stronger counselling support and clear codes of conduct that combine sanctions with incentives.

He, however, stressed that government policies alone would not be sufficient to change the culture of indiscipline.

“But policies alone will not transform a culture. People do,” he said.

He therefore called on parents to strengthen supervision at home and urged teachers, traditional leaders and alumni to play their part in shaping the character of students.

Dr. Apaak made the remarks during ZAMSTECH’s 50th anniversary celebration, held under the theme “Empowering Minds and Shaping the Future: The Role of Stakeholders.”