Where Is Our Discipline?

We now live in a country whose educational system is causing mixed reactions across and among various stakeholders.

A sector which is the engine for the development of our human resources or manpower is been threaten by what some termed as unconsciousness.

While others believe the system/sector is growing positively well, some of us still believes, a lot needs to be done.

Furthermore, the activities of some politicians and supervisors of the education system or sector must be redefined and addressed.

The politicization of the sector or system is creating huge potholes that can cause the well-designed Beast Car to capsize.

First of all, the duration of our senior high education system is something that has become a political super heavy weight battle as one side believe in the three years philosophy and another in the four years philosophy. I think the better this issue is address the best it is for us all.

Again, the issue of abolishing corporal punishment (Caning) has now become a major debate. While some of us believe this is going to contribute to a breakdown of the disciplinary system in our educational sector in a long run, others believe it is the best way to go.

To some of us; we are made to believe, this decision of abolishing corporal punishment in schools are been taken by the leaders of our educational system because of popularity purposes and on bad faith.

Most of them forget that, if not for corporal punishment and gross discipline or implementation by their teachers and guardians, they would not be where they are now.

The bible stated clearly that we should spare the rod and spoil a child; the child must be trained in the way he or she needs so that when they grow, they will not depart from the truth.

The point must be made clearly: I don’t think teachers or supervisors take delight or great pleasure in caning or give corporal punishment to students for no wrong deed.

Most of them do that to straighten them in the right way and rebuke or deter others from repeating the same wrong or bad deeds committed by their colleagues.

I acknowledged that; fewer events shows teachers who either mistakenly or negligently misused the cane which caused damages to some students. But I think a well-structured means must be designed to handle this occurrences rather than a complete ban of what I termed “The Sustainer of Discipline”.

To add, let’s not be surprised if in the near future some leaders come up with a new policy or legislation stopping parents and guardians from caning or punishing their children; what will happen then?

I think, the bringing up of an African child is quite different from those we always benchmark ourselves with because of our reasoning, intelligence, great cultures and values, situations …

We must be careful we do not confuse modernization with westernization. So we do not live behind the wonderful values and discipline that formed, gave and is giving us great leaders and responsible citizens now.

The current decision to abolish corporal punishment or caning in our schools will and is discouraging most teachers hence a drastic drop in academic performances, increase social vices, etc. must be expected in the near future. And this may also cause a lot of problems like lawlessness, irresponsible citizens/youth and low productivity in the future.

At least teachers deserve some respect especially in decisions that greatly affects their profession and output. Therefore, they must be informed or consulted when making policies for them.

Hmm, the argument of some: saying, the caning or disciplining a child corporally is an infringement on the child’s right I think is totally needless, and should be disregarded. What is taken away from a child if he or she is caned responsibly and deservingly to do the right things which are better for his future and society’s development?

Let us be careful we do not encourage, create and develop a country made up of lawlessness, and irresponsibly adults and leaders in the near future all because of some westernized concept of child rights abuse ( in terms of punishing or caning them responsibly and deservingly) . We do not also create a country that can equally be termed as a jungle; just because the majority who must be straighten through corporal punishment or caning were not straighten due to the decision of some few individuals or committee.

Form the responses after speaking to about twenty teachers and five serious students who were all against the policy. I realized everybody thinks the decision was taken in a bad faith. (A more detail research can be done.)

I think a greater stakeholders discussion must be organize to find a more holistic and better end to this decision of abolishing corporal punishment or caning in schools. A reasonable regulatory framework can as well be employed to guide the use and application of corporal punishment but to abolish it entirely I think is uncalled for and not in society best interest or favor.

I am not by any means pointing my left fingers into the faces of our leaders of the educational sector, but I just wrote this article to add my views, and remind all of us on the need to take another look at the decision to completely abolish caning or corporal punishment in schools since I am one of the successful youths trying my best to contribute my quota to my country’s development; brought up by my parents and teachers with the support of the cane or corporal punishment; with greater complements from the bible, advices and counselling which am benefiting from.

Thank you all and God bless our homeland Ghana.
By: CONFIDENCE COFFIE
(www.thetyad.org)