Education Minister appeals to Otumfuo to lead nationwide campaign against indiscipline in schools

Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to lead a nationwide campaign against growing indiscipline in schools, urging traditional rulers to join efforts to restore discipline in Ghana’s educational institutions.

He said the support of traditional authorities, religious leaders, parents and students was crucial to addressing the worrying trend of indiscipline in schools across the country.

Speaking at the 150th anniversary celebration of Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast on Saturday, November 14, the Minister appealed to Otumfuo, who was seated as a special guest, to spearhead the campaign in collaboration with other traditional rulers.

“Otumfuo, we may call on you to lead an indiscipline campaign together with other traditional rulers across the country,” he said.

He proposed the campaign be guided by the slogan, “Yɛmma school mmra no yɛ adwuma”, which translates as “Let us allow the school regulations to work”.

“We would want you to lead it,” Mr Iddrisu told the Asantehene, saying that restoring discipline in schools required a collective national effort.

He said the campaign should go beyond enforcing school rules to promote respect for authority, responsible conduct and accountability among students and the wider society.

“If the rules work, there will be discipline, there will be no corruption, there will be no abuse or looting of State resources. Children will learn and respect their teachers and will respect community leaders, and there will be self-respect at that level,” he said.

The Education Minister also called for the involvement of church and Muslim leaders, parents and students, noting that schools alone could not address the growing challenge.

“We need the support of our traditional rulers. We need the support of our church and Muslim leaders. We need the support of parents, and we need the support of students to stem the growing and unacceptable indiscipline in our schools across the country,” he said.

As part of efforts to address the problem, Mr Iddrisu disclosed that he had constituted a committee to guide the government on measures to improve discipline in schools.

He said the committee, which was established on Friday, November 13, is being chaired by the Catholic Church.