Ghana’s Senior High Schools are facing rising cases of indiscipline, a situation that requires urgent policy adjustments, according to Charles Aheto-Tsegah, a former Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES). In an interview on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, with Citi FM, Mr. Aheto-Tsegah stated that weaknesses in school leadership and disciplinary policies have contributed to the issue. He emphasized the need to reevaluate how discipline is enforced in schools to restore order.
He noted that while student misconduct has always existed, recent trends suggest a worrying rise. He attributed this partly to policies that limit the authority of head teachers, making it difficult for them to maintain discipline. Administrative protocols, he said, have weakened school leadership, affecting both student and teacher supervision. Several incidents in recent years have raised concerns about the state of discipline in schools.
In February 2025, Sokode Senior High Technical School was temporarily closed after violent clashes among students. In March 2024, a brawl between students of Christian Methodist Senior High School and Ngleshie Amanfro Senior High School resulted in the deaths of two students. Back in 2022, students of Akro Senior High Technical School lynched a suspected thief, triggering retaliatory attacks from local residents.
These incidents point to a growing challenge in maintaining order. Mr Aheto-Tsegah also said changes in disciplinary policies have made it harder to enforce rules. Traditional corrective measures, such as making students weed or perform supervised labour, have been restricted. This, combined with increasing student populations, has made discipline enforcement more difficult.
He further argued that political interference in school leadership appointments has weakened management. Some individuals, he said, are given leadership roles without the necessary experience, affecting school governance. He stressed the need for a structured leadership training system to ensure those appointed to head schools have the skills and authority to manage discipline effectively.
To address these challenges, Mr Aheto-Tsegah called for a review of disciplinary policies that balance maintaining order with protecting students’ rights. He urged greater parental involvement, noting that some parents undermine school rules, making discipline enforcement even harder. He also suggested strengthening guidance and counselling services to provide alternative disciplinary approaches that focus on reform rather than punishment.
He added that instead of imposing a single set of rules for all schools, the GES should allow institutions to tailor disciplinary measures to their specific needs while still adhering to national guidelines. Mr Aheto-Tsegah believes restoring discipline in senior high schools requires action from school authorities, policymakers, and parents. He urged stakeholders to take the necessary steps to strengthen school management and ensure effective disciplinary systems.
By: Mohammed Ali
