The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), noting the growth in disruptive behaviour among students as a result of constraints on disciplinary measures, is advocating for enhanced authority for teachers to expel students involved in fights.
This call is in response to the tragic event that occurred recently at O’Reilly Senior High School on September 3, during which a student brutally stabbed a classmate during an argument.
NAGRAT President Angel Carbonu stressed in a Citi News interview how crucial it is to give school officials the authority to properly enforce discipline in order to stop these kinds of situations. He denounced the power of certain organisations that have limited educators’ capacity to uphold law and order through their support of human rights.
“Teachers are often accused of infringing on human rights when they try to enforce rules,” Mr. Carbonu remarked. He also pointed out that some financial NGOs contribute to the problem by imposing regulations that don’t align with the realities of the local environment.
Mr. Carbonu argued that the current approach, which discourages strict disciplinary measures, is fostering an environment where students increasingly exhibit unruly behaviour.
He advocated for restoring the authority of teachers to enforce discipline, including the power to expel students who disrupt the learning environment. “In the past, if a student fought, they were dismissed from school, and everyone knew the rules before they enrolled,” Mr. Carbonu explained.
He clarified that pupils may be readmitted to another school after agreeing to sign a bond of good behaviour, thus being dismissed did not mean they were out of school.
In order to maintain discipline, Mr. Carbonu emphasized the necessity of a system, saying that the supervisor must have the power to direct and carry out their supervisory duties.
“The supervisors and in this case the teachers need to have the power to isolate from the generality anyone whose presence is causing discomfort for the majority. When I was in Pope John’s Secondary School when you run away to town without permission, immediately you are de-boardinised. When I was in school and you fight, you will be dismissed and this one there was no Ghana Education Service and you know these rules before you enter the school and if you want to remain in that school, you don’t have the choice but to conform with the rules of the school”.
“…It is a system that you need to create, there are some children that without experiencing the heat of law, would never conform. They will never, never conform”.
Source: GraphicOnline
