Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Apaak and Stakeholders Demand Urgent Action Over Rising Indiscipline in Ghana's Schools

Dr. Clement Apaak, Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Education, has issued a stark warning regarding an escalating trend of indiscipline and violent misconduct across the country's pre-tertiary and tertiary institutions. Speaking on various platforms, including JoyNews’ Newsfile, Dr. Apaak emphasized that while extreme violence may affect a small percentage of schools—estimated at less than five percent of public secondary and TVET institutions—the severity of these incidents demands immediate national attention. From student-led attacks on teachers to reports of at least 16 student deaths on university campuses since early 2024, the Ministry of Education is calling for a unified front to restore order and ensure the safety of both learners and educators.

The nature of misconduct in schools has reportedly evolved from traditional student protests to more dangerous behaviors, including the possession of offensive weapons and organized assaults on invigilators during examinations. Dr. Apaak noted that some students have mobilized to attack staff caught preventing exam malpractice, while others have been involved in violent clashes during sports and social events. A recent social media video showing a teacher at Swedru Senior High School caning students in public for alleged indecent dressing has further fueled the debate over discipline, highlighting the tension between traditional enforcement methods and the need for standardized regulatory frameworks that protect both student rights and school order.

Beyond the classroom, security experts and legal practitioners have raised alarms regarding the vulnerability of university campuses. Legal practitioner Gloria Ofori-Boadu highlighted a lack of comprehensive security policies at the tertiary level, citing instances of harassment and a general absence of safety training for students. Compounding this issue is what Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa, describes as a "crisis of authority." Bentil argues that many school heads are now hesitant to enforce regulations due to the fear of social media backlash or administrative stress. He also criticized "parental excesses," where overindulgent parents reportedly undermine school discipline by shielding their children from accountability and flaunting wealth on school grounds.

To address these systemic challenges, the Ministry of Education is collaborating with law enforcement to handle criminal activities on campuses, while the Ghana Education Service (GES) continues to enforce disciplinary codes including suspension and expulsion. Former Deputy Attorney-General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah and other stakeholders are advocating for a national stakeholder conference to evaluate and overhaul existing regulations. The consensus among officials is that maintaining school safety is a shared responsibility, requiring active participation from parents, local communities, and the government to ensure that Ghanaian educational institutions remain conducive environments for learning rather than theaters of conflict.