The Upper East Regional Chairman of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), John Akunzebe, has expressed strong support for a recent call by the Association’s National President, Angel Carbonu, urging teachers to protect themselves against increasing acts of intimidation and violence from students.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Thursday, May 29, Akunzebe described the call as “apt and timely,” noting that teachers across the country are continually subjected to abuse while little is done to ensure their safety.
“The call is apt and timely. It is a call for government to act before June 1. When a teacher assaults a student, stakeholders immediately intervene, often punishing the teacher involved. But when students attack teachers, there’s either silence or no meaningful action. Are teachers working in isolation?” Akunzebe questioned.
He raised concerns about the deteriorating discipline in schools, citing alarming incidents of students bringing weapons such as machetes and guns to school.
“What is happening in our schools is not good at all. Children go to school with machetes and guns, and you dare not correct them. When you try, they team up and deal with you appropriately,” he said.
Akunzebe attributed the breakdown in discipline to policies that limit the authority of teachers to instill proper behavior among students. He criticized the ban on corporal punishment in schools, arguing that it has rendered teachers powerless.
“Over the years, we’ve been told that no one has the right to cane students and that other forms of punishment should be used. But these do not deter them. They don’t fear picking up papers, they only fear the cane. The policies that govern students have made teachers incapacitated,” he added.
The regional NAGRAT chairman further called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education to take urgent steps to address the situation. He urged them to treat violence against teachers with the same seriousness as incidents involving teachers and students.
“They should condemn all forms of violence caused by students just as they would have done to teachers if the teachers had caused it. And they should also take care of teachers who are victims,” Akunzebe stated.
He further called for the development of a robust disciplinary code, including a controlled reintroduction of corporal punishment to restore order in schools.
“They should come out with a very good disciplinary code and allow a bit of caning in the schools. That will solve all these things,” he concluded.
Mike 105.3 FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna
