Students caught selling drugs, attacking teachers, destroying school property or engaging in other serious misconduct could soon face tougher sanctions after Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu proposed tougher punishments for indisciplined SHS students. Speaking in Parliament, the minister said the government is considering reviewing Ghana’s disciplinary regime to give the Ghana Education Service (GES) stronger powers to deal firmly with rising indiscipline in Senior High Schools.
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Why Haruna Iddrisu Wants Tougher Punishments For Indisciplined SHS Students
Haruna Iddrisu said the current disciplinary framework is no longer serving as an effective deterrent, arguing that changes made to Ghana’s corporal punishment regime have contributed to growing indiscipline in some schools.
According to him, school authorities need stronger legal backing to deal decisively with students who repeatedly violate school rules.
He cited Prempeh College as an example, claiming some students pulled down CCTV cameras installed on campus because they did not want their activities recorded.
“This is indiscipline. That’s unacceptable,” the minister said, adding that the Ghana Education Service should be empowered to impose harsher sanctions on students who engage in such conduct.
The remarks add to ongoing national conversations about discipline in schools and the balance between protecting students’ rights and maintaining order. Readers can also explore our previous coverage on education and school safety for related developments.
Drug Abuse And Violence In Schools Raise Fresh Alarm
Haruna Iddrisu warned that the indiscipline challenge extends beyond vandalism.
He revealed that authorities have received reports of students selling marijuana and cannabis on some secondary school campuses, describing the trend as deeply worrying.
The minister argued that students caught trafficking illegal drugs in schools should face outright dismissal to protect other students from being influenced.
He also referred to a recent incident during the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), where students allegedly assaulted a teacher after he refused to help them answer examination questions.
According to the minister, teachers and examination invigilators have increasingly become targets of attacks simply for enforcing examination rules and maintaining discipline.
What Happens Next?
Haruna Iddrisu said the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service are already implementing measures to strengthen discipline across Ghana’s pre-tertiary education system.
However, it remains unclear whether the proposed changes will require amendments to existing education regulations or when any new disciplinary measures could take effect.
If approved, the reforms could significantly change how schools respond to serious offences such as violence, drug trafficking, vandalism and persistent misconduct.
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