Upper East NAGRAT Chairman calls for reintroduction of caning to curb indiscipline in schools
According to Akunzebe, the current disciplinary methods outlined for schools are insufficient to deter students from engaging in acts of misconduct, particularly attacks on teachers.
The Upper East Regional Chairman of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), John Akunzebe, has called for the reintroduction of minimal caning in schools as a disciplinary measure to address the increasing cases of student indiscipline across the country.
According to Akunzebe, the current disciplinary methods outlined for schools are insufficient to deter students from engaging in acts of misconduct, particularly attacks on teachers.
Speaking during an interview on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Thursday May 29, Akunzebe argued that overly protective child rights policies have emboldened students to disregard authority.
“The [GES] should come out with very good disciplinary guidelines and allow a bit of caning in the school. The disciplinary tools they have asked us to use — the students do not fear them. And the child rights people should know that rights come with responsibility. When they are teaching the children about their rights, they should also teach them about their responsibility.” He said
He warned that if the situation does not improve, teachers may be forced to prioritise their own safety by acting in self-defence.
“We will take care of our own security because the state has failed teachers. So, teachers will be very cautious. We will look on, whether they dress well or not, or are smoking weed or cigarettes — we will look on, because I will not intervene for them to beat me or catapult me.” He warned.
Akunzebe further urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education to take a firm stance against violence by students and to provide support to teachers who become victims of such attacks.
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