Thomas Musah, General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has voiced deep concern over the erosion of moral values and discipline in Ghanaian schools. His remarks follow a shocking viral video showing a student from Accra Academy Senior High School wielding a machete to flog two of his peers.
The disturbing incident has sparked widespread outrage and reignited discussions about the state of discipline and character development within the country’s educational institutions.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, February 2, Musah lamented the growing disregard for conscience and character in schools, warning that if the trend continues, it could have severe consequences for the nation.
“As a nation, we have lost our sense of character and conscience. While we are training students with knowledge, we have failed in shaping their moral values. If we do not take urgent action, we will all face the consequences in the coming years. This is an issue that policymakers must address seriously,” he stated.
Musah attributed the decline in discipline to the weakening authority of school leaders, particularly headteachers and teachers, who once played a key role in maintaining order.
He recalled a time when headteachers had the power to enforce discipline, and parents actively collaborated with schools to correct their children’s behavior.
“When I was in elementary school, the headteacher was so empowered that no student could misbehave. Parents would even report their children to teachers for disciplinary action. Teachers had authority and respect,” he said.
However, he noted that today, teachers have been stripped of their authority, making it difficult to maintain discipline.
“Now, teachers are powerless. In some cases, when students misbehave, they inform their parents, who then storm the school to attack the teachers. As a result, teachers hesitate to enforce discipline for fear of retaliation from students or parents,” he explained.
Musah stressed the urgent need for a collective effort to restore discipline and moral values in schools. He called for the empowerment of headteachers and school administrators to effectively enforce rules and maintain order.
“It seems as though no one cares, and we are allowing lawlessness to take over. The sooner we come together and reestablish authority within schools, the better it will be for all of us,” he concluded.
