Ghana Education Minister Declares Zero Tolerance Policy Against Indiscipline in SHS

• The Minister of Education has declared a zero-tolerance policy towards indiscipline in Senior High Schools (SHSs).
• The government's support for this initiative was reaffirmed by President John Dramani Mahama.
• School administrators may need to review and update their existing disciplinary procedures to comply with the new policy.
• Parents are urged to lead by example and demonstrate the values they expect their children to uphold.

Criminality or criminal conduct should never find space in the school environment and should never be tolerated or accommodated.

The Minister of Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has taken a firm stance against indiscipline in Senior High Schools (SHSs) by declaring a zero-tolerance policy. This move is aimed at ensuring that school authorities take responsibility for maintaining safe learning environments and enforcing discipline among students. The government's support for this initiative was reaffirmed by President John Dramani Mahama, who has given his backing to the Ministry of Education in its efforts to curb indiscipline. Mr Iddrisu emphasized that headteachers and school administrators have a crucial role to play in implementing the directives given by the Ministry, and that criminal conduct has no place in educational institutions. The Minister's remarks were made during a two-day National Conference on Curbing Indiscipline in Senior High Schools held in Sunyani of the Bono Region.

The zero-tolerance policy announced by Mr Iddrisu may require school administrators to review and update their existing disciplinary procedures, ensuring they align with the government's stance. Lawyers advising schools should be aware of this development and advise clients on implementing necessary changes to comply with the new policy. The Ghana Education Service (GES) has attributed the growing behavioural challenges among students to changing social trends, inadequate parental involvement, and the weakening of traditional support systems. To address these issues, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, Director-General of GES, urged parents to lead by example and demonstrate the values they expect their children to uphold.

The Minister's declaration of a zero-tolerance policy towards indiscipline in SHSs is a significant step towards promoting discipline and values-based education in schools. The conference, which brought together education administrators, teachers, students, parents, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, and development partners, aimed to discuss practical and sustainable measures to address indiscipline in second-cycle institutions. Participants were expected to examine the root causes of indiscipline and propose practical interventions, with the recommendations forming the basis of a comprehensive policy framework to guide national efforts at promoting discipline and values-based education in schools.

This policy may require school administrators to review and update their existing disciplinary procedures, ensuring they align with the government's zero-tolerance stance. Lawyers advising schools should be aware of this development and advise clients on implementing necessary changes.

Source: Original reporting via Ghanaian Times