Students Must Be Disciplined with Moderation – Educationist

An Educationist, Ohene Kwarteng Afari, has called for discipline in schools to be enforced with moderation in order to protect students and promote a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

According to him, while discipline remains a cornerstone of quality education, its application must be balanced, humane and properly regulated.

Speaking on the state of discipline in schools, Mr. Afari stated that Western concepts of students’ rights and freedoms cannot be adopted wholesale in Ghana due to differences in African culture and societal norms.

He explained that Ghanaian upbringing places high value on respect, obedience and communal responsibility, which are often enforced through disciplinary measures in schools.

However, Mr. Afari was quick to caution school authorities to ensure that disciplinary measures are proportionate and strictly regulated, particularly when corporal punishment is involved.

He noted that although some forms of punishment are deemed necessary to correct students, excesses must be avoided.

“Some teachers may act out of anger or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, potentially putting students at risk. That is why there must be clear rules on who can punish, how it should be done, and the extent to which it can go,” he said.

The Educationist emphasized the need for stricter supervision and regulations on punishment in schools to maintain discipline while safeguarding the physical and psychological well-being of students.

He called on the Ghana Education Service, heads of schools and Parent-Teacher Associations to work together to develop a disciplinary framework that is culturally appropriate, consistent and protective of the child.

Mr. Afari added that when discipline is applied with fairness and moderation, it not only corrects but also builds character and prepares students to become responsible citizens.