Prof. John Azumah and GES Officials Call for National Policy on Device Usage to Tackle School Indiscipline

The Baraka Policy Institute’s 12th Annual Public Lecture has brought to light the growing concern over student indiscipline in Ghanaian schools, identifying social media and digital devices as primary catalysts for behavioral issues. Presenting findings from a study of 240 schools, Prof. John Azumah emphasized that the current state of discipline is undermined by the pervasive influence of technology and the weak enforcement of school regulations. The report identifies stealing, chronic absenteeism, and a lack of respect for authority as the most significant challenges currently facing the educational system.

Prof. Azumah argued that simply banning digital devices is an insufficient solution to the problem. Instead, he advocated for the implementation of a comprehensive national policy designed to teach students responsible digital citizenship and ethical usage. The study suggests that while technology offers educational benefits, its unregulated presence in schools often leads to distractions and moral lapses. To address these systemic issues, the lecture highlighted the need for more effective disciplinary measures and better-trained chaplains who can provide moral guidance and character development within the school environment.

Responding to the findings, the Ghana Education Service (GES) underscored the importance of institutional oversight. The Deputy Director-General of GES noted that school boards must be adequately trained to handle disciplinary matters independently and decisively. This sentiment was echoed by Hajia Katumi Natogmah Attah, also representing the GES, who expressed the service’s readiness to support new interventions aimed at character formation. The consensus among stakeholders at the lecture was that a multi-faceted approach—combining policy reform, teacher training, and active parental involvement—is essential to restoring order and fostering a conducive learning environment for Ghanaian students.