The Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to tackling growing cases of indiscipline in Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country.
According to Dr. Apaak, the government is actively introducing measures to restore discipline and enhance the learning environment for both teachers and students.
His statement follows a disturbing case in the Ashanti Region, where a second-year student from Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School (OKESS) was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm. The student’s stepfather, Daniel Owusu Baafi, was also detained in connection with the incident.
Authorities at OKESS uncovered the firearm during a routine dormitory inspection on May 14, 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m. Upon discovery, the student allegedly admitted ownership, leading school officials to swiftly hand him over to the police.
A statement from DSP Godwin Ahianyo, the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ashanti Central Region Police Command, confirmed that investigations were ongoing to determine the source of the weapon and the circumstances surrounding its possession.
Restoring Discipline in Secondary Schools
In response to concerns about the rising indiscipline, Dr. Apaak outlined several initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service (GES) to curb such incidents.
Among these reforms, the government has sanctioned secondary school management to conduct student searches—a practice previously prohibited under the previous administration.
“The Hon. Minister of Education has, through Ghana Education Service [GES], permitted management of secondary schools to search students, which was never allowed under the former government. This is part of broader reforms aimed at ensuring safety and discipline in our schools,” Dr. Apaak stated.
Additionally, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) have been reinstated to their traditional structure before 2017, allowing parents, teachers, and school authorities to collaborate more effectively in maintaining order in educational institutions.
According to the Deputy Minister, these policies are only the beginning of a broader set of interventions aimed at restoring discipline and creating a conducive atmosphere for academic success.
“I can report that the Hon. Minister of Education has directed the Director-General of GES to work with the GES council to initiate further immediate interventions. These efforts are part of a long-term strategy to implement holistic reforms recommended by stakeholders at the National Education Forum,” Dr. Apaak disclosed.
Political and Policy Implications
Dr. Apaak further emphasised that the ongoing developments in Ghana’s secondary schools validate the government’s campaign promise to review the Free Senior High School (FSHS) Programme as a foundation for its improvement and sustainability.
“What is happening in our secondary schools clearly justifies our campaign promise to review the implementation of the Free Senior High School [FSHS] Programme as a basis to improve and sustain it,” he reiterated.
The government’s commitment to reviewing the policy comes amid debates on the effectiveness of the FSHS initiative, with critics arguing that certain structural adjustments are needed to enhance its impact.
The reforms are expected to address challenges linked to the mass enrollment of students, which some educators believe has contributed to growing cases of indiscipline and overstretched school resources.
Stakeholder Reactions and Future Steps
The announcement of these new measures has sparked various reactions among some stakeholders, school administrators, and teacher unions.
Representatives from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) have expressed concerns over the increasing violence in schools, calling for immediate interventions to protect teachers from student attacks.
GNAT’s General Secretary, Thomas Tanko Musah, recently urged educators to prioritise their safety. He advised teachers who feel threatened to report their concerns and withdraw their services if necessary.
“We are telling our teachers that when you go to school and feel threatened, inform your head and withdraw your service, period. Nobody can do anything to you,” Mr. Musah said in a recent interview.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Service has assured that comprehensive assessments will be conducted to evaluate schools’ preparedness for the upcoming reforms.
Minister Haruna Iddrisu has also directed the GES council to explore additional strategies for improving discipline and student behaviour management.
With cases of student indiscipline becoming more prominent, stakeholders are hopeful that these interventions will help restore order and provide a safer environment for learning
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