The two-day National Conference on Stemming the Growing Indiscipline in Schools in an Emerging World has ended with a call for coordinated national action to address indiscipline and promote safe, respectful and supportive learning environments across Ghanaian schools.
The conference, an initiative of the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, formed part of the government’s broader Reset Agenda under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.
It brought together key stakeholders from the education sector and wider society, including teachers, students, parents, traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, civil society organisations and development partners.
Participants reached consensus on the need for a balanced approach to discipline that combines clear rules, legitimate school authority, student rights, parental accountability, professional conduct and incentives for positive behaviour.
A major recommendation was the establishment of a National School Discipline Framework to apply across all levels of education.
The proposed framework is expected to define acceptable behaviour, offences, sanctions, institutional responsibilities, due process and referral procedures for issues including bullying, violence, theft, substance abuse, sexual misconduct and examination malpractice.
Participants also called for schools to be given sufficient authority to manage disciplinary matters, with school heads and disciplinary committees empowered to investigate cases and apply appropriate sanctions promptly while observing due process and safeguarding the dignity and rights of learners.
The conference further emphasised the need for school rules to reflect and reinforce Ghanaian values such as respect, truthfulness, hard work, responsibility, cooperation, integrity and peaceful conflict resolution.
Stakeholders stressed that these values must be reinforced not only in schools but also in homes, communities, religious institutions and through the media.
They also proposed a stronger social contract among schools, students and parents, with learners understanding their rights and responsibilities while parents actively support school expectations and participate in disciplinary processes.
Student leadership was identified as another important component, with school prefects and other student leaders expected to receive training in peer mediation, restorative justice and the identification of behavioural risks.
Greater support for teachers and school leaders was also recommended through clearly defined disciplinary authority and continuous professional training in behaviour management, counselling, child protection, mediation and professional ethics.
The conference further called for functional guidance and counselling services, improved learner-support systems and the deployment of trained security personnel where necessary.
Participants stressed that discipline should not focus solely on sanctions.
Schools were encouraged to recognise and incentivise positive behaviour, while teachers who take on additional responsibilities in managing discipline should receive appropriate support and incentives.
Collective responsibility
Leading the closing ceremony, the Deputy Minister for Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, said the conference had moved beyond identifying the causes of indiscipline to developing practical solutions and commitments.
He said the discussions had demonstrated that indiscipline was not a single-issue problem with one cause, but a shared national challenge requiring collective action.
Dr Apaak urged participants to return to their communities as ambassadors of positive discipline, stressing that transforming the culture of discipline extends beyond government and requires the commitment of every stakeholder.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safe schools, the dignity of teachers, positive discipline, learner wellbeing and evidence-informed policymaking.
According to him, education must produce not only academic excellence but also strong character.
Dr Apaak also commended the media, teachers, students, parents, security officers and civil society representatives for enriching the discussions.
He expressed gratitude to the Chiefs and people of the Bono Region for their hospitality.
Dr Clement Abas Apaak subsequently declared the National Conference on Stemming the Growing Indiscipline in Schools in an Emerging World officially closed.
