Empower schools to expel violent students – EduWatch urges education authorities

 

Grant Schools the Authority to Dismiss Violent Students – EduWatch Appeals to Authorities.

Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, is calling for schools to be given the power to expel students who pose a threat to safety and discipline, in response to rising incidents of violent student behavior in secondary schools. This proposal aims to help maintain a secure and conducive learning environment for all students.

In a recent post on social media platform X, Mr. Asare expressed concern that traditional methods of handling student misconduct, such as corporal punishment, are no longer sufficient to tackle the alarming wave of indiscipline being witnessed across various institutions.

"Schools must have the power to dismiss students whose conduct threatens safety and order. That’s a solution that matches the times," he stated.

This appeal comes as teacher unions intensify calls for the return of corporal punishment, insisting it is necessary to combat what they describe as increasingly defiant and violent behaviour among students.

While acknowledging that the prohibition of corporal punishment has played a role in the surge of indiscipline, Mr. Asare questioned whether reintroducing the cane would make any real difference under the current circumstances.

“I agree with the Teacher Unions that the ban on corporal punishment has contributed to the heightened levels of indiscipline in secondary schools…But what is a cane to a student armed with a weapon? The problem has outgrown the punishment,” he noted.

Reports from January to February 2025 revealed at least five violent incidents across senior high schools, including Kinbu Secondary Technical, Kumasi Technical Institute, Salaga SHS, Islamic SHS, and Sokode SHS. These episodes, some involving weapons, resulted in injuries and temporary school closures.

In a separate development at Sawla SHS in February 2025, over 30 students were indefinitely suspended for various breaches, including the possession of mobile phones and engaging in immoral acts.

Previously, in March 2024, a deadly confrontation between students of Christian Methodist SHS and Ngleshie Amanfro SHS led to the tragic deaths of two students, underscoring the growing threat of student violence.

As concerns mount, EduWatch’s call for decisive reforms echoes the broader urgency to ensure a safe and orderly environment for teaching and learning.



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