FMI Calls for Reintroduction of Moral and Religious Education to Curb Student Indiscipline
The Frimpong Manso Institute (FMI) has called for the reintroduction of Moral and Religious Education in Ghana’s basic and senior high school curricula as part of measures to address growing indiscipline and violence among students.
The call follows violent clashes between students of Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Eastern Region, which reportedly resulted in school facilities being burnt and vandalised.
The incident has sparked widespread concern, particularly over allegations that some teachers may have played a role in instigating students to attack their counterparts.
In a statement, the FMI commended the Ghana Police Service for what it described as a swift and professional response to the incident, including the arrest of some students, while investigations continue to identify and apprehend other suspected students and teachers.
The Institute said the development was a disturbing indication of the level of moral decay and indiscipline in some schools, warning that such behaviour could have serious consequences for both the present and future generations.
“The latest incident is symptomatic of the degree of moral decay and indiscipline in our schools, which can spell doom for the present and future generations of students,” the FMI said.
The Institute urged the authorities to deal decisively with individuals found to have participated in or encouraged violence in senior high schools.
It also called for severe sanctions against teachers whose conduct contributes to student violence, arguing that such action would serve as a deterrent to others.
“Teachers whose incredibly rotten behaviours fuel such violence must be publicly exposed and severely punished to deter others from toeing their abhorrent ways,” the statement said.
The FMI welcomed moves by the Ministry of Education to introduce character development into the curricula of basic schools through to the senior high school level.
However, the Institute maintained that character development efforts would not achieve their full purpose without a strong spiritual and moral foundation.
Citing Proverbs 9:10, which states that “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom,” the FMI argued that moral and religious education should form an integral part of efforts to shape the character of young people.
“Any attempt to revise the curricula in reference will be meaningless if it lacks the spiritual imperative to instil the fear of God in our children through the reintroduction of Moral and Religious Education,” the Institute said.
The FMI further expressed its full support for plans to review the punishment regime in schools to empower the Ghana Education Service to respond more effectively to cases of indiscipline in basic and senior high schools.
The Institute believes that combining character development, moral and religious education with an effective disciplinary framework will help restore discipline and responsible behaviour among students.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com
