UE: Teachers suggest ‘caning’ as best antidote to address poor performance of students in BECE, WASSCE

Some teachers in the Upper East Region have suggested that the best way to enforce academic excellence and discipline among students in schools is by reintroducing corporal punishment.

It could be recalled that the Ghana Education Service (GES) in 2017, officially banned all forms of corporal punishment of children in schools in Ghana as part of efforts aimed at promoting a safe and protective learning environment for children.

But some teachers have observed that the abolition of corporal punishment especially caning in schools has negatively affected students’ cooperation in the classrooms and ultimately, their academic performance.

According to them, the best antidote to end the growing trend of indiscipline, poor performances in West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) among students would be through the use of cane as was done in the past.

The concerned teachers made the suggestion on a local political talk-show on A1 Radio, Zina Yela, on Monday, September 27, 2021, in line with a recent revelation by the Upper East Regional Director of Education, Edward Azure that performance of students at the BECE and WAEC has been poor in the region.

A teacher at the Bolgatanga Senior High School (BIGBOSS) noted that “It is sad to say; but will you believe some students are in our school and cannot read or write. Common what is a noun they cannot say? It is sad. Like how it was, if caning is allowed, discipline and seriousness among students will be instilled. We are losing our future leaders.”

Another teacher observed that “Sometimes, teaching and learning would be in session while the students are pressing their mobile phones in the classroom.”

“How can we teach them when all that they are interested in is their mobile phones?” He asked show host Moses Apiah.

Source:Fiilafmonline/A1Radioonline.