Indiscipline has become a monster in society

Tema, July 28, GNA - An educationist at the weekend noted that the phenomenon of indiscipline had become a monster that was threatening to devour the very fibre of the Ghanaian society and there was the need to fight it in all directions.

Mrs Victoria Donkor, Deputy Director, Basic Education Division of the Ghana Education Service, traced some of the causes of indiscipline among students and the youth in general to the home and the society at large. Mrs Donkor, who was the guest speaker at the 10th graduation and handing over ceremony of Goshen Complex Schools, Tema, said some parents were so lax in their discipline that they allowed their children 'free rein' in the name of modernity or progress, to do what they liked in and outside the home.

She was speaking on: "Discipline, the key to effective education for National development."

She said: "Most often, it is this kind of parent, who would gird his loin to go and attack teachers and school authorities whenever the child is disciplined at school."

Parental responsibilities in fashioning the future of the child and subsequently the future of the entire nation should never be underestimated, since "charity begins at home".

Mrs Donkor said parents, apart from being bold to correct their children when they go wrong, must also set good examples in their own lifestyles for children to copy, adding that parents must also endeavour to build up their children's confidence and self-esteem by engaging in consultation and discussions with them.

"We need to listen to and communicate with them, and let them feel that we are their best friends and their opinions are respected in certain decisions that are taken concerning them. Again, we should allow them to build trust and confidence in us to enable them to freely approach us and discuss their problems with us."

Mrs Donkor said some parents were so busy travelling up and down, spending all their time to make money, to acquire properties and material things to the neglect of their children, and questioned: "What good is your wealth if at the end of the day, your child has gotten into bad company and had become a drug addict or an armed robber?"

Mr Samuel Evans Ashong Narh, Tema Municipal Chief Executive, noted that nobody has ever achieved anything meaningful without self-discipline.

He charged the Tema Municipal Directorate of GES to put in place a monitoring mechanism to ensure that all private schools operating in the Municipality abided by the rules and regulations of GES and the Ministry of Education.

Mrs Rose Wontumi, Proprietress of the school, in her report said the academic record of the school had been and continued to be among the best in the Municipality, recording 100 per cent success with distinction at all times.

She cautioned the outgoing students that as they approached the next stage of their education, they should continue in the Christian virtues that the school had inculcated in them, adding, "continue in the fear of the Lord and maintain high discipline, which is a key ingredient to effective moral and academic performance".

Mrs Gladys Kumedzro, Assistant Director, in charge of Supervision in the Municipality, chaired the function. Prizes were distributed to outstanding students.