A member of the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA), Stanley Abopam, has described a viral video allegedly showing a teacher assaulting a female student as a reflection of growing moral decline within Ghana’s educational system and society.
Speaking on Dreamz FM, Mr Abopam said while the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, public discussions should not automatically assume the teacher was solely at fault before investigations are completed.
According to him, if the teacher was acting within his responsibilities as a hostel supervisor and attempting to enforce school regulations, authorities must establish the full facts before drawing conclusions.
Mr Abopam questioned arguments that teachers have no right to defend themselves when confronted by students, citing recent incidents of attacks on teachers by students in some schools.
He argued that Ghana’s educational system is experiencing a broader discipline crisis, pointing to cases of vandalism, arson and violent behavior among students.
Mr Abopam attributed the situation to what he described as the erosion of cultural values, weakening parental control and policies that have reduced teachers’ authority to discipline students.
He also criticized what he called the excessive adoption of foreign educational approaches without considering Ghana’s cultural context.
Mr Abopam further expressed concern about policies that, in his view, create a sense of impunity among students, arguing that discipline, moral education and respect for authority must be reinforced in schools.
He called on the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education to empower teachers to play both instructional and parental roles while ensuring discipline is administered within acceptable limits.
According to him, teachers should be supported rather than condemned before investigations into such incidents are concluded.
Mr Abopam maintained that restoring discipline in schools will require stronger collaboration between parents, teachers and policymakers, as well as a renewed focus on moral and cultural education.
