The Offinso North Director of Education, Mr. Martin Addo-Fordjour, has identified social media as one of the major causes of indiscipline among students in Ghana, expressing concern over the growing trend of disrespectful behavior being promoted online.
According to him, some young people have turned social media platforms into avenues for insulting elders and engaging in inappropriate conduct under the guise of content creation.
Mr. Addo-Fordjour lamented that such actions are increasingly becoming common in society, yet many people fail to openly condemn them, thereby allowing the behaviour to persist.
Speaking in an interview, he noted that the widespread use of social media among the youth has significantly influenced attitudes and behaviours, contributing to a decline in respect for authority and societal values.
He stressed the need for parents, teachers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to work together to instill discipline and moral values in young people, especially in an era where social media continues to shape opinions and lifestyles.
Touching on the issue of corporal punishment in schools, Mr. Addo-Fordjour explained that the educational environment has evolved, making it inappropriate for teachers to resort to caning as a means of correcting students.
He pointed out that many parents no longer use physical punishment when disciplining their children at home and therefore teachers cannot be expected to use canes in schools.
According to him, there are laws and regulations that discourage corporal punishment, making modern-day education significantly different from the schooling system of the past.
Mr. Addo-Fordjour emphasized that teachers are now encouraged to adopt alternative disciplinary measures that focus on guidance, counselling and positive behavioural change rather than physical punishment.
He reiterated the importance of collective efforts in addressing indiscipline among students, urging parents to take active interest in their children’s activities both online and offline to help promote responsible behaviour and academic excellence.
Source: Newspyramid.com
