Prof. John Azumah and Baraka Policy Institute Propose New National Strategy to Tackle SHS Indiscipline

In a significant move to address the declining standards of behavior in Ghanaian Senior High Schools (SHSs), Prof. John Azumah has called for a comprehensive national policy to manage the impact of social media and digital devices on students. Speaking at the 12th Annual Public Lecture organized by the Baraka Policy Institute (BPI), Prof. Azumah presented findings from a study involving 240 schools, which identified digital distractions and the weak enforcement of school regulations as primary drivers of modern student misconduct. The lecture highlighted a worrying trend where technology often supersedes traditional academic and moral guidance, leading to a rise in behavioral challenges across the country.

The study detailed specific manifestations of indiscipline, citing stealing, absenteeism, and persistent disrespect toward authorities as the most significant issues facing today's campuses. Rather than advocating for a total ban on digital devices, which many experts deem impractical in the modern age, Prof. Azumah proposed a national policy focused on teaching responsible usage. This approach emphasizes character formation and digital literacy, ensuring that students can navigate the internet without compromising their academic focus or ethical standards. The findings suggest that the current reactive measures are insufficient to curb the influence of social media on the youth.

Institutional reform was also a central theme of the lecture, with various stakeholders calling for the professionalization of school management. The Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) underscored the importance of training school governing boards to handle disciplinary matters independently and effectively. Furthermore, there is a recognized need for better training for school chaplains and the fair treatment of religious practices within Ghana’s secular educational framework. These measures are intended to create a more structured and supportive environment that discourages deviant behavior before it requires punitive action.

Looking forward, the Ghana Education Service has expressed its readiness to support new interventions aimed at improving student character formation. Hajia Katumi Natogmah Attah of the GES indicated that the service is committed to collaborating with organizations like the Baraka Policy Institute to implement these findings. As the dialogue on educational discipline continues, the focus remains on fostering a balanced environment where technology serves as a tool for advancement rather than a catalyst for indiscipline, ultimately ensuring that SHS graduates are as disciplined as they are academically prepared.