Gov't to crack down on school indiscipline as Haruna Iddrisu announces tough sanctions

Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced a raft of measures aimed at tackling rising indiscipline in Ghana’s schools, warning that incidents of students carrying weapons, assaulting teachers and engaging in drug-related activities threaten the country’s educational system and moral values.

Answering questions on the floor of Parliament, the Minister described recent reports of students carrying guns to school, vandalising CCTV cameras, selling cannabis on school campuses and attacking teachers during the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) as unacceptable.

“That cannot be the training of a Ghanaian child,” he stated, stressing that the growing trend reflects a broader breakdown in discipline that requires a coordinated national response.

To address the situation, Iddrisu announced that the government will convene a national conference before the end of July, bringing together academics, religious leaders, educationists, teachers, parents and other key stakeholders to develop comprehensive solutions to restore discipline in schools.

He emphasised that instilling discipline is a shared responsibility and cannot be left to the Ghana Education Service (GES) alone.

“Parenting and socialization are shared responsibilities involving the father, the teacher and the community,” he told Parliament.

The minister also revealed that government is reviewing disciplinary measures within the education sector to strengthen the authority of school administrators and the GES in dealing with misconduct.

Among the proposed measures are tougher sanctions for students who vandalise school property, including CCTV installations, or assault teachers. He further indicated that students found dealing in narcotic substances on school campuses could face outright dismissal.

“A drug dealer on campus will poison the rest,” Hon. Iddrisu said, arguing that school authorities must be empowered to act decisively against serious violations of school regulations.

He further noted that the review of disciplinary regimes over the years has contributed to what he described as a culture of laxity, adding that the GES should be “clothed with authority to deal ruthlessly” with breaches of the code of conduct.

On security, the Minister disclosed that the Ministry of Education is already collaborating with the Ministry for the Interior and the Narcotics Control Commission to dismantle drug networks operating within schools.

He cited Prempeh College as an example, explaining that although the school’s old students had installed CCTV cameras to improve security, some students allegedly pulled them down, highlighting the urgent need for stronger enforcement and behavioural reform.

Iddrisu maintained that restoring discipline in schools is essential to safeguarding Ghana’s future, insisting that schools must remain safe spaces for teaching, learning and character development.