Lawyer Serbeh Raises Alarm Over Rising Indiscipline in Schools, Calls for Parental Vigilance
Story: Maurice Otoo
A private legal practitioner K.K Serbeh has expressed deep concern over what he describes as a worrying decline in discipline and moral training among students, warning that recent developments in some schools pose a serious threat to society.
Speaking on Kessben Maakye in reaction to a violent incident involving students of Swedru School of Business as against Obrakyere Senior High and Technical student, the lawyer noted that the level of training and discipline in schools in the past differs significantly from what is currently being experienced.
According to him, in earlier times, teachers were given the needed authority and respect to discipline students. However, he said the situation has changed, with some parents now confronting teachers or retaliating when their wards are disciplined.
He further revealed that he had learnt that some students reportedly went to inter-school games armed with knives and machetes — a development he described as alarming and unacceptable.
“To render teachers powerless is very dangerous to our society,” he cautioned, stressing that weakening the authority of educators could have long-term consequences for national development.
The legal practitioner also blamed the situation partly on parental neglect, saying many parents no longer have the time to properly monitor the activities and behaviour of their children.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) boss, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor reportedly addressed some headmasters over the incident, suggesting that the approach could have been more measured.
The lawyer admonished parents to be vigilant and supportive in shaping the character of their wards, emphasizing that discipline must be a shared responsibility between the home and the school.
He further recommended that students involved under violent incidents be offered psychological support, stating that many may need professional counselling to help them manage and neutralise their emotions.
