Punishment Alone Won’t Solve Student Behaviour, Ethical Entrepreneur Needed – Irene Sam

Introduction

Recent violent incidents involving senior high school students in Ghana have reignited urgent debates about discipline, safety, and the role of educational institutions and families in shaping young minds. Irene Sam, Public Relations Officer of the National Council of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), argues that relying solely on punitive measures is insufficient to address the root causes of student misconduct. Instead, she calls for a collective societal effort centered on moral education and shared responsibility.

Key Points

Background

In recent weeks, viral videos have surfaced showing senior high school students in Ghana’s Central Region physically assaulting each other. These incidents have sparked public outrage and prompted renewed discussions about student discipline and safety. While disciplinary actions are often the immediate response, Irene Sam emphasizes that deeper, systemic issues underlie such behavior.

Analysis

The Limitations of Punishment

Irene Sam contends that punishment alone cannot resolve the complex behavioral issues facing students today. She explains, “I’m not sure that the mayhem we are experiencing today is solely a matter of punishment. It is about appealing to their moral content and helping them understand the ramifications of their actions, for them to become responsible with their own behaviour.”

The Role of Moral Education

Moral education is central to Sam’s vision for addressing student misconduct. She believes that instilling discipline begins at home and must be reinforced through schools, PTAs, and the wider community. This holistic approach recognizes that students are influenced by multiple environments and that consistent, values-based guidance is crucial.

Social Media’s Impact

Sam also highlights the role of social media in shaping student behavior. She notes, “The social media content is also being sanitised so that what is seen everywhere online can be controlled. But cleaning alone cannot be the absolute measure. All of us collectively have a major role to play in shaping our children.”

Collective Responsibility

The solution, according to Sam, lies in a collective effort. Parents, schools, and PTAs must work together to instill a culture of accountability and responsibility among students. This requires ongoing commitment and collaboration, not just isolated disciplinary actions.

Practical Advice

– **Parents**: Engage in open conversations with your children about values, consequences, and responsible behavior. Monitor their online activity and discuss the impact of social media.
– **Schools**: Implement comprehensive moral education programs and create safe spaces for students to discuss challenges and conflicts.
– **PTAs**: Foster partnerships between parents and schools to support consistent messaging and shared expectations.
– **Community**: Encourage mentorship programs and extracurricular activities that promote positive social skills and ethical decision-making.

FAQ

Conclusion

Addressing student violence and misconduct requires more than punitive measures—it demands a long-term, collective commitment to moral education and shared responsibility. By working together, parents, schools, PTAs, and communities can help shape a generation of responsible, ethical young people. As Irene Sam emphasizes, the solution lies not in punishment alone, but in nurturing the moral content of our children and guiding them toward positive, accountable behavior.