Education Minister and NACOC Propose Radical Measures to Combat Rising Indiscipline and Drug Abuse in Schools

Ghana’s education sector is at a crossroads as high-ranking officials and civil society organisations push for stringent new measures to address student misconduct and enhance child safety. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has officially ignited a national debate on the potential reintroduction of corporal punishment to curb what he describes as a worrying surge in school indiscipline. Speaking at a recent conference in Sunyani, the Minister called for a zero-tolerance policy against serious offences, including drug abuse and violence, urging stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and implement practical solutions that reconnect the youth with core national values.

Adding to this push for systemic discipline, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has proposed making drug testing a mandatory requirement for university admissions. Alexander Twum-Barimah, Deputy Director-General of NACOC, revealed that the commission is seeking to legalise this mandate to ensure workforce readiness and public health. The urgency of this proposal is underscored by alarming statistics from recent recruitment exercises, such as the Ghana Police Service recruitment where over 6,000 applicants reportedly tested positive for illicit substances. Proponents argue that early detection at the university level is essential for timely intervention and rehabilitation.

While the government focuses on student conduct, civil society is demanding higher standards of safeguarding from public officials interacting with educational institutions. The Rights Accountability Network Africa (RANA) has petitioned Parliament to move beyond simple apologies and implement comprehensive child safeguarding policies. This demand follows a controversial incident where Yakubu Mohammed, the MP for Ahafo Ano South East, told a primary school pupil she was "very beautiful" and that he would marry her when she grew up. RANA argues that such interactions highlight a systemic lack of protection for children, necessitating mandatory safeguarding training for all Members of Parliament and the establishment of formal reporting mechanisms.

These collective concerns reflect a broader narrative of a youth population at risk, as evidenced by harrowing personal accounts of university students being drawn into criminal activities. A recent testimony shared on GhanaWeb detailed how a former student’s association with a "negative crowd" led to a violent robbery that nearly cost a pregnant woman her life—a stark reminder of the long-term consequences of unchecked indiscipline. As the Ministry of Education and NACOC move forward with their proposals, the focus remains on balancing punitive measures with moral education and institutional reform to create a safer, more disciplined academic environment for the next generation.