Stakeholders to converge and discuss how to curb growing indiscipline in schools 

By: Eugene Dogbatse Atsu
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced a stakeholders’ conference to address growing indiscipline in SHS, stressing that responsible parenting and teaching are critical to restoring discipline among students.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced plans for a national stakeholders’ conference to address growing indiscipline in senior high schools, stressing that responsible parenting and teaching are critical to restoring discipline among students.

The Minister said the government was concerned about increasing cases of misconduct at the secondary school level and was determined to engage all relevant stakeholders in finding lasting solutions to the problem.

“It must begin with responsible parenting and responsible teaching,” he stressed.

To this end, he disclosed that a national conference would be held on or before the end of July, bringing together education experts, religious leaders, traditional authorities, parents, civil society groups and school administrators to deliberate on measures to curb indiscipline in schools.

“We expect educators, academia, the church, civil society, the Muslim community, chiefs, parents, regional and district directors of education and headmistresses to converge and discuss how to stem the growing indiscipline in our schools,” he said.

According to the Minister, the conference is expected to take place in Kumasi, although Sunyani is also being considered as a possible venue.

He noted that while schools have an important responsibility in nurturing students, parents must take a leading role in shaping the attitudes and behaviour of their children.

Mr. Iddrisu emphasized that teachers cannot be left alone to shoulder the burden of discipline, urging parents to work closely with schools to instill values of respect, responsibility, and integrity in young people.

The Minister also voiced concern about the growing influence of social media on students, describing some online platforms as sources of misinformation capable of negatively affecting the conduct of young people.

He said the conference would provide an opportunity for educationists and other stakeholders to share experiences and recommend practical interventions that can strengthen discipline across the country’s schools.

Expressing confidence in the outcome of the planned engagement, Mr. Iddrisu said the discussions would help shape strategies aimed at promoting a culture of respect, discipline, responsibility, and academic excellence among students.