President Mahama’s 'Reset Agenda' Targets School Discipline and Infrastructure as Stakeholders Call for National Reforms

The Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Minister Haruna Iddrisu and the framework of President John Mahama’s 'Reset Agenda,' has concluded a high-level National Conference on Stemming the Growing Indiscipline in Schools. Stakeholders, including educators, parents, and community leaders, have collectively called for the establishment of a National School Discipline Framework to combat bullying, violence, and misconduct. Deputy Minister Dr. Clement Abas Apaak emphasized that addressing these challenges requires a coordinated national response that goes beyond government policy, aiming instead to reinforce Ghanaian values and a culture of respect within the academic environment.

This call for order comes as the Ministry of Health moves to address specific instances of student unrest. A seven-member committee, chaired by Prof. Vida Nyagre Yekong, has been inaugurated to investigate the recent violent assembly at the Techiman-Krobo Nursing Training College. The incident, which led to the temporary closure of the institution and the arrest of two students, will be scrutinized to evaluate adherence to existing regulations. The committee, which includes representatives from the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Ghana Nurse-Midwife Trainees’ Association, is expected to submit its findings to the Health Minister by August 2026.

Beyond discipline, the Ghanaian education sector is grappling with significant infrastructure deficits at key teacher training institutions. Dr. David Okyere Korankye, Principal of St. Monica’s College of Education, used the institution’s 95th anniversary to appeal for government and corporate support to complete stalled projects, including hostels and science laboratories. Similarly, the Department of Teacher Education at the University of Ghana, marking its 10th anniversary, highlighted that a lack of adequate office space is hindering research and teaching productivity. Despite these facility challenges, the department celebrated a remarkable 100% pass rate in teacher licensure exams since 2016, underscoring the resilience of its academic programs.

In tandem with academic milestones, professional bodies are seeking strategic partnerships to enhance technical competency. The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Navy to strengthen engineering professionalism and facilitate the licensing of practitioners within the military. GhIE President Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse noted that the collaboration will promote continuous professional development and knowledge sharing, which are vital for national development. This move aligns with calls from the University of Ghana for an increased focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to drive economic growth.

As the government and educational stakeholders look toward the future, the synthesis of discipline, modern infrastructure, and professional licensing remains a priority. The recommendations from the National Conference and the ongoing investigations into school unrest suggest a shift toward more rigorous institutional management. Moving forward, the successful implementation of the National School Discipline Framework and the completion of vital infrastructure projects will be essential to ensuring that Ghana’s educational institutions provide a safe, high-quality environment for the next generation of professionals.