Three ways to overcome sexual immorality in Senior High Schools

Somewhere in the Eastern Region of Ghana, report has it that a teacher had sexual intercourse with a student in Benkum Senior High School and captured the escapade on video. It was leaked and went viral.

This is not the first time something like this is happening at this same level. Moral depravity is hitting us in the face and the sooner we do something about it, the better for our society. This is one of many which keep happening.

The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy long time ago predicted the following condition of man in 2 Timothy 3:1-4 that,

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."

Again, he stated in II Timothy 2:22 (NKJV) that,

"Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

What Must Be Done?

There are two main approaches to this: immediate and remote solutions.

Immediate Solution

For the immediate solution, culprits (both teacher and student) must be punished to serve as a deterrent for other teachers and students who are habouring intentions to venture in such immoral conducts.

Paul's words in 1 Timothy 5:20 are appropriate for this,

"Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear."

Remote Solutions

There are three remote solutions to this canker we can consider:

#1. The Schools

The first area we want to pay particular attention to if we are really going to win the war against sexual immorality is the schools. The teaching of Religious and Moral Education (RME) in SHS will help to imbibe good moral values and principles for proper living.

Spelling out the rationale for the Religious And Moral Education Common Core Programme Curriculum (Basic 7 - 10) , the Ghana Education Service stated,

"In general, young people readily and unconsciously assimilate all types of influences (good or bad), if they do not have proper guidance. It is therefore important that society provides them with a type of education that will make them acquire sound religious and moral principles; and also develop appropriate attitudes and values that will help them to make good choices and decisions in their adulthood for the good society."

As simple as this sounds, it is vital to nip this in the bud. People do what they believe. Our beliefs in life guide what we do. If these students are taught good values and principles, it will prepare them for better living devoid of sexual scandals.

#2. The Church

The second agent of transformation in this fight against sexual misconducts will be the church of Jesus Christ.

According to the 2021 Population And Housing Census , Christianity is the largest religion in Ghana, with 71.3% of the country's population being members of various Christian denominations.

If the church of the living God is "the pillar and ground of truth" (1 Timothy 3:15), then it must show the world how to uphold righteous and holy living through its members wherever they show up (including schools). If the youth, many of whom are from churches, cannot stand their grounds to keep themselves pure like Joseph (Genesis 39:7-9), then we must seriously check what we are teaching them and go back to the basics of discipleship and godliness.

#3. The Family

The third and final agent we want to consider is the family. The family plays a crucial role because every child comes from a family which has the authority to teach them good values and principles. If the family does its work well, other agents like the schools and churches will complement what has been done.

Proverbs 22:6 says,

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Ephesians 6:1-4 says,

"1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."

From the Scriptures above, parents have authority in the home setting to train children with good values and principles to last them for life.

Writing on Abstain From Sexual Immorality , Abundant Robert K. Awolugutu noted,

"It is unfortunate that movies that are both suggestive and lewd are shown on TVs. If the youth are to preserve their virtue, they must stop watching pornographic materials in all its forms. They must keep away from music that has sounds and lyrics that are suggestive of sex or are capable of stimulating sexual feelings. Sex is sacred; it is meant for procreation and to bring joy to only those who are legally and lawfully married. Under no circumstances should the power of creation be abused and debased."

It is clear that when we put these things in place, we shall at least do our part in safeguarding the future of our youth who find themselves in schools. This is not to say that when all these agents do their work well we shall not have misconduct. Good children turn out bad if they turn from good values and embrace bad conducts. My point is that our duty is to ensure we do our work and leave the rest to God. He will take care of our children when we are not there.

Eric Otchere

www.erikotchere.wordpress.com

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