Story by Christian Ahodie Yaw
The President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbega Tepre Hodo, has raised concerns over the declining academic performance and indiscipline in senior high schools in the Volta Region, calling on paramount chiefs and queen mothers to take an active role in reversing the trend.
He says the region, once recognised for its outstanding educational standards, must urgently confront the challenges confronting its schools to restore its reputation as a centre of academic excellence.
Togbega Tepre Hodo expressed disappointment at the situation, recalling a time when students from the region excelled in academic competitions and brought honour to their schools and communities.
He questioned what had gone wrong with the educational system and stressed the need for a collective effort to address the worrying developments.
His concerns come amid discussions about indiscipline in schools, a subject he recently addressed while chairing a conference of heads of assisted secondary schools.
According to him, indiscipline among students has become a major concern that requires urgent attention from school authorities, parents, traditional leaders and education officials.
He argued that the problem must be examined beyond the classroom, with stakeholders paying attention to the role of parenting, community values and the enforcement of appropriate disciplinary measures in schools.
CHIEFS AND QUEEN MOTHERS URGED TO INTERVENE
The President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs believes traditional authorities have an important role to play in addressing the challenges confronting education in the region.
He has therefore called on paramount chiefs and queen mothers to intensify their involvement in school affairs, engage parents and work closely with education authorities to promote discipline and improve academic outcomes.
Togbega Tepre Hodo recalled how traditional leaders and parents in the past took a direct interest in the upbringing of children, correcting misconduct and ensuring that young people respected authority.
He believes that reviving responsible community involvement in children’s education could help address some of the challenges affecting discipline and academic performance.
He emphasised that education should not be left entirely in the hands of teachers and school administrators, arguing that parents, traditional authorities and the wider community must accept responsibility for the future of their children.
QUESTIONS OVER SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
Togbega Tepre Hodo also questioned aspects of the disciplinary policies governing schools, particularly restrictions on corporal punishment.
He argued that teachers must have effective and acceptable means of correcting students who engage in misconduct, warning that the failure to address indiscipline could undermine the quality of education.
His comments have brought renewed attention to the debate over how schools can maintain discipline while protecting students’ welfare and rights.
The Ghana Education Service’s applicable rules and child-protection requirements remain important in determining the disciplinary measures teachers may lawfully use.
A CALL TO RESTORE THE VOLTA REGION’S EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS
For Togbega Tepre Hodo, the situation requires more than expressions of concern. He wants traditional leaders, parents, teachers and education officials to take practical steps to reverse the trend.
He has called for a holistic assessment of the challenges affecting schools and urged all stakeholders to work together to restore discipline and improve academic standards.
The traditional leader maintains that the Volta Region cannot afford to watch its educational reputation deteriorate when the future of thousands of young people depends on the quality of education they receive.
His appeal places renewed responsibility on chiefs and queen mothers to use their influence within their communities to promote education, encourage parental involvement and support efforts to improve student performance.
The Statement was made during the Annual General meeting of chief in the Volta Region
The question now is whether the collective efforts of traditional authorities, families and education officials can help restore the region’s reputation for academic excellence.
