Social vices in educational institutions worrying

Akropong Akuapem (E/R), Nov. 18, Ghanadot/GNA - Mr Ato Essuman, Chief Director of the Ministry of Education Science and Sports, has expressed worry about high rate of social vices in educational institutions in recent times.

He said rising levels of drug abuse, disrespect for authority, examination malpractices and immoral behaviour continued to confront the educational institutions because values and moral principles were blatantly ignored.

Mr Essuman, a Member of the Council of State, said in an effort to curb this indiscipline, the ministry was putting measures in place to check the unfortunate situation.

The Chief Director said this when he addressed the 30th Anniversary and Second Speech and Prize Giving Day of the Holy Mount Sinai Senior High School at Akropong Akuapem at the weekend.

He said the current educational reforms were designed and structured to provide the framework for moral and ethical discipline, social cohesion, harmonization, and academic enlistment, which were meant to help control and mould the character and mindset of the people.

“It is our responsibility as stakeholders in education to take advantage of such an enabling condition to help the leaders of tomorrow to acquire the requisite human qualities to enable them to function productively and face the developmental challenges of our nation”.

Mr Essuman said the mission to nurture generation of committed and self disciplined citizens of the nation to champion the developmental goals called for the involvement of all stakeholders in that crusade.

He called on educational authorities, school administrators, teachers, communities, civil societies, and corporate bodies whose activities had influential bearing on education delivery to cultivate the culture of discipline through moral, ethical and professional rectitude.

“This is an achievable challenge that seeks to create the suitable conditions for building the quality human resource capacity of our nation that would be primed and capable of moving our nation forward”.

Mr Essuman cautioned the students against any behaviour, which is likely to have an adverse effect on their education and take their studies seriously and be disciplined at all times.

Mr Alex P. Acquah, the Headmaster of the school, said Holy Mount Sinai Senior High School started as a private school in June 1983 with a student population of 25.

Now it has a population of 901, made up of 529 girls and 372 boys.

He mentioned lack of classrooms, accommodation for both students and teachers and a vehicle as problems hampering effective teaching and learning in the school and urged the educational authorities as a matter of urgency to assist.

GNA