Tackling indiscipline in SHS must begin with responsible parenting, teaching — Education Minister
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has identified responsible parenting and effective teaching as key measures needed to address the increasing indiscipline in senior high schools across the country.
According to him, the government is deeply concerned about increasing cases of misconduct in schools and is preparing to engage key stakeholders to find lasting solutions.
The minister disclosed that a national conference on school discipline will be held before the end of July to deliberate on the issue and propose practical interventions.
Speaking during his WASSCE monitoring visit to Aburi Girls SHS on Wednesday, June 10, The Tamale South MP said tackling indiscipline would be one of the ministry's major priorities this year.
"Some of the major problems we will deal with this year, 2026, will be stemming the growing indiscipline in our schools, particularly at the secondary education level. We expect to hold a national conference in Kumasi on or before the end of July," he said.
The minister explained that the conference would bring together educators, academics, religious leaders, chiefs, parents, regional and district education directors, and heads of schools to discuss the causes of indiscipline and develop strategies to address them.
He noted that discipline in schools cannot be left to teachers alone, stressing that parents also have a critical role to play in shaping the character and behaviour of children.
The Minister further blamed the increasing influence of social media for contributing to some of the challenges.
"We have always maintained that parenting is a shared responsibility of the significant other, of father and mother, and then the teacher. But we are losing many of it, thanks to social media, which has become a toxic source of mis- and disinformation," he stated.
The comment comes on the back of a recent social media video which shows a teacher at the Nyinahini Catholic Senior High School in a physical confrontation with a Form Three female student.
The incident comes on the back of several clashes between teachers and SHS students in recent times, many of which involve violence and attacks on teachers.