The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has issued a strong warning against rising cases of indiscipline in Ghana’s educational institutions, declaring that the government will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to misconduct in schools.
The Minister stressed that discipline remains a cornerstone of quality education and national development, emphasizing that schools must remain environments where students are guided by respect, responsibility, integrity and academic excellence.
Schools Must Uphold Discipline
Speaking on the growing concerns over student misconduct, Haruna Iddrisu urged heads of schools, teachers and educational administrators to enforce existing regulations without fear or favour.
According to him, acts of bullying, violence, disrespect for authority, vandalism, substance abuse and other forms of misconduct undermine the country’s efforts to build a strong educational system capable of producing responsible future leaders.
He maintained that maintaining discipline is not intended to punish students but to create an atmosphere that promotes effective teaching, learning and character development.
Government Backs School Authorities
The Education Minister assured school heads and teachers of the government’s full support in implementing disciplinary measures that are consistent with Ghana’s education policies and legal framework.
He noted that school authorities should not hesitate to take appropriate action against students whose behaviour threatens the safety, welfare and academic progress of others.
The Minister further encouraged collaboration between school administrators, parents and community leaders to instill values of responsibility, respect and self-discipline among students.
Discipline Key to Academic Excellence
Haruna Iddrisu emphasized that academic success cannot be achieved without discipline, describing good conduct as an essential ingredient for improving learning outcomes.
He said students must understand that education extends beyond classroom instruction and includes the development of moral values, leadership qualities and responsible citizenship.
The Minister indicated that government reforms within the education sector will continue to prioritize both academic achievement and character formation to prepare students for national development.
Call for Collective Responsibility
The Minister appealed to parents to complement the efforts of schools by reinforcing discipline at home and maintaining close communication with teachers regarding their children’s behaviour.
He also called on students to embrace school rules and regulations, respect their teachers and fellow learners, and focus on achieving their educational goals.
Education stakeholders have increasingly raised concerns over incidents of bullying, violence and other disciplinary challenges in some schools, prompting renewed calls for stronger collaboration between families, schools and government agencies to safeguard the learning environment.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Quality Education
The declaration forms part of the government’s broader agenda to strengthen Ghana’s education system by promoting safe, disciplined and conducive learning environments across all public and private schools.
Education officials believe that restoring discipline will improve academic performance, protect students and teachers, and reinforce public confidence in the country’s educational institutions.
With the zero-tolerance policy now clearly articulated, school authorities are expected to intensify efforts to enforce discipline while ensuring that all measures remain fair, lawful and respectful of students’ rights.
