- Rising incidents of violence in schools are linked to limitations on teachers’ disciplinary authority
- NAGRAT calls for more autonomy for school authorities to enforce discipline effectively
- The influence of some financial NGOs may hinder the establishment of appropriate school rules
The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has attributed the surge in disruptive behavior in schools to the constraints placed on teachers when it comes to maintaining discipline.
This commentary comes in the wake of an incident at O’Reilly Senior High School on Tuesday, September 3, where a student was arrested for fatally stabbing a peer after a dispute over wealth escalated.
In an interview with an Accra-based radio station, NAGRAT President Angel Carbonu highlighted the urgent need for school authorities to have greater control over disciplinary measures to avert such tragedies.
“Teachers face accusations of overstepping their bounds from certain human rights advocates when they try to enforce rules,” Carbonu explained.
He also criticized the impact of some financial NGOs on school policies.
“When we accept funding from these organizations, we often lose sight of the need to implement rules and regulations that are appropriate for our specific context,” he remarked.
Carbonu expressed frustration with the current disciplinary approach, noting that it often inhibits effective enforcement.
“We’re instructed not to impose certain rules or to avoid speaking to students in ways that might be deemed psychologically harmful. It seems we’re expected to shield students from all consequences of their actions, leading to a school environment where misbehavior is increasingly unchecked,” he added.
