PRETAG Warns: Continued Student Attacks Threaten Teachers’ Workplace Unity

The Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) has raised grave concerns over the alarming rate of indiscipline in the country’s secondary schools, describing it as a growing threat to the safety of teachers and the broader educational environment.

Mr. Kingsley Anyimadu, the Communication Director of PRETAG, expressed deep worry about the escalating incidents of violence, lawlessness, and moral decline among students. Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Anyimadu called for immediate and decisive action to tackle the situation, which he says has spiraled beyond control.

A National Crisis Demanding Urgent Attention

According to Mr. Anyimadu, students increasingly feel emboldened to assault teachers and engage in acts that flout school rules and societal norms. He described the situation as a national crisis that requires a comprehensive and multi-stakeholder approach.

“We need a national conversation involving all stakeholders, including the media, to discuss and find solutions. We have abandoned our cultural and family values, and that is one of the reasons we are witnessing these activities,” he stated.

He underscored the necessity for urgent intervention and proposed the inclusion of community leaders, religious authorities, parents, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the media in a dialogue aimed at restoring discipline and respect in schools.

The Role of Parents and the Erosion of Family Values

Mr. Anyimadu was unequivocal in assigning part of the blame to some parents, criticizing their failure to instill discipline in their children. According to him, many parents have abdicated their responsibilities, leaving the burden of moral upbringing entirely to teachers.

“The majority of parents are unable to discipline their children and expect teachers to do that job for them,” he lamented.

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He further decried the rising tide of gang violence, physical attacks on teachers and fellow students, robbery, and even rape cases occurring in senior high schools. These incidents, he warned, are no longer isolated but have become frequent and disturbing trends.

Media Influence and Cultural Degradation

In his interview, Mr. Anyimadu also pointed to the media’s role in promoting harmful content, particularly television programs that glamorize sorcery, rituals, and deviant behavior. He cautioned that such content creates an environment where students begin to see these practices as acceptable and even admirable.

“How can we expect moral uprightness from students when they are bombarded with these negative influences daily?” he queried.

Teachers on Edge: A Call for Immediate Action

The Communication Director issued a stark warning about the potential consequences if authorities fail to act. He hinted that teachers are reaching a breaking point and may resort to drastic measures to protect themselves and demand change.

“When teachers say they will advise themselves, we know what we will do,” he said. “Teachers can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in our schools. We can no longer hold the anger of our teachers. Ghana Education Service ought to act fast and address the situation.”

He appealed to the media to take a more proactive role in highlighting these challenges, stressing that the declining respect for teachers must be urgently reversed.

A Call to Restore Order and Respect

Mr. Anyimadu’s remarks come at a time when many educators across the country are voicing similar concerns about school safety and the deteriorating moral climate. His call for a national dialogue serves as a rallying cry for all stakeholders to reflect on the causes and consequences of indiscipline and to collectively chart a path toward restoring order, safety, and respect in Ghana’s schools.

“We must act now before it gets completely out of hand,” he concluded.

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