Reinstate corporal punishment in schools – Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah advocates

Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah advocates for Reinstate corporal punishment in schools

Sunyani Technical University’s Vice Chancellor, Ing Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah is calling for the reinstatement of corporal punishment in schools.

His call for the reinstatement of corporal punishment in schools was disclosed at the 63rd Speech and Prize-Giving Day of the Sunyani Senior High School.

Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah communicated that the rate at which discipline is deteriorating at an increasing speed in schools nationwide is becoming alarming.

Speaking at length, Prof. linked the trend of increase in the deterioration of discipline in schools nationwide to the GES’s 2019 ban on all forms of corporal punishment.

According to him, the absence of corporal punishment in schools nationwide has led to a slack in the Ghanaian educational system. The loose bored hole has allowed students to engage in various deviant behaviours like smoking, alcoholism, armed robbery, and hooliganism without appropriate consequences, Prof. states.

The best way to address the emanating challenges GES bred since 2019 under the “ban on all forms of corporal punishment in schools” according to Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah is that the government should take steps to reevaluate its stance on corporal punishment and suggest that it should be reinstated but closely monitored.

Accentuating, he (Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah) stated that the influence of peer pressure on students’ behaviour must be looked at. Also, he said that how to effectively monitor and guide students in schools before they complete their education must be a key component when dealing with the issue at hand to the core.

SYNOPSIS OF THE BAN DIRECTIVE ISSUED BY GES IN 2019

In the year 2019, GES issued a directive forbidding teachers and school authorities from using corporal punishment.

The directive laid focus on the use of alternative disciplinary measures and sanctions to correct students, citing the potential physical and emotional harm caused by corporal punishment.

The published directive by GES birthed mixed reactions among Ghanaians especially education stakeholders because the majority believes that “you must spare the rod and spoil the child”.

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has advised its members to comply with the GES directive, while the Methodist Bishop of Accra cautioned against a complete ban on caning, expressing concerns that it might lead to a breakdown of discipline in schools and society.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh