Rashid Tanko-Computer, CEO of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), has called for a national discussion on reinstating corporal punishment in Senior High Schools (SHSs), citing growing indiscipline among students.
His comments follow recent violent incidents involving students, including the widely circulated attack on a student of Obrachire Senior High Technical School by students of the Swedru School of Business (SWESBUS) during the district inter-schools athletics competition in Agona Swedru.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Monday, February 23, Tanko-Computer reflected on his experience as a former teacher and lecturer, highlighting how discipline has changed in schools over the years.
He stressed that students in the past showed greater respect for teachers, noting, “A teacher, in those days, we respected our teachers more than even our parents. Whatever our teacher tells us, hey, you don’t joke. Sometimes you defy your father just to respect your teacher. So I’m surprised of late what is going on.”
Tanko-Computer also pointed to drugs and overindulgent parenting as contributing factors to misbehavior.
“But don’t discount the issue of drugs. I mean, drugs that young people are taking is also forcing them to misbehave…We are over pampering the kids. That is the only thing. We are over pampering them, giving them free lead to misbehave. And that is what is leading us to this,” he said.
Despite these challenges, he expressed confidence in the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education under Haruna Iddrisu.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
