Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu Orders Dismissal of Students Selling Marijuana as Government Cracks Down on School Indiscipline

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has issued a stern directive to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to immediately dismiss any senior high school student caught peddling narcotics, specifically marijuana, on school campuses. Speaking in Parliament, the Minister expressed grave concern over the "alarming" rise in drug-related activities and general indiscipline within pre-tertiary institutions. This directive is part of a broader government effort to sanitize the educational environment and protect innocent students from the negative influence of drug dealers and unruly peers, ensuring that schools remains safe havens for learning.

Beyond drug peddling, the Minister highlighted a disturbing trend of extreme misconduct, including students carrying firearms, assaulting teachers, and vandalizing school property. He cited instances where students resisted the installation of CCTV cameras intended for security, viewing such measures as a hindrance to their illicit activities. To address these systemic issues, the Minister proposed a review of the current disciplinary regime to empower school administrators and the GES with more authority to enforce regulations. He also announced plans to convene a national conference involving parents, educators, and community leaders to develop a comprehensive roadmap for restoring discipline and behavioral standards in schools.

In a proactive move to curb substance abuse, the Ministry of Education has partnered with the Ministry for the Interior and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to launch a nationwide Behavioral Change Communication (BCC) campaign. This initiative introduces daily anti-drug awareness messages into pre-tertiary schools, which are to be recited during morning assemblies. The campaign aims to foster a culture of responsible decision-making among learners and follows recent high-profile efforts by NACOC to publicly destroy seized narcotics, signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward drug use among the youth.

Emphasizing that discipline is a shared responsibility, the Minister called on parents and society at large to support teachers in instilling moral values in students. While addressing these internal disciplinary challenges, the Ghana Education Service has also had to defend the integrity of the educational system against external misinformation. The GES recently refuted viral social media claims that recent floodwaters had destroyed WASSCE examination papers, necessitating a resit for affected candidates. Officials urged the public to disregard such fake news and rely only on official channels for information, reinforcing the government's commitment to maintaining order and truth within the education sector.