Restore discipline in schools to improve performance – United Party Deputy General Secretary

The Deputy General Secretary of the United Party, Nana Yaw Sarpong, has called for a national conversation on restoring discipline in our various schools, arguing that the country’s declining academic performance cannot be solved by reforms alone.

In a Facebook post reacting to recent news reports and WAEC’s summary of the 2025 WASSCE results, Nana Yaw Sarpong said the debate on education must go beyond infrastructure, government responsibility, and policy implementation.

According to him, although these issues often dominate national discussions whenever WAEC releases results, they are not new. He noted that Ghana still recorded stronger academic performance in the 1990s and early 2000s when the same challenges existed.

He argued that the major shift occurred when “human rights and child rights activists started talking and pushing for the removal and abolishment of corporal punishment from our educational institutions.”

While acknowledging that he was not quoting scientific research, he insisted the effects of “indiscipline, poor attitude and the growing challenge of poor parental control” are now evident across schools and communities.

Nana Yaw Sarpong stressed that no meaningful improvement can occur without confronting issues of behaviour and responsibility.

“It is time for a national conversation on restoring discipline in our schools, firmly, fairly, and within clearly defined guidelines. Whatever approach we choose must avoid excesses while reinforcing responsibility, respect, and self-control among our young people,” he wrote.

Drawing on his Christian faith, he cited two biblical texts to support his argument.
Proverbs 13:24, “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.”
He also referenced Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

The United Party executive emphasised that discipline remains foundational to success at every level.
“No one can talk about success without discipline, attitude, focus, control, and mindset,” he stated.

Nana Yaw Sarpong urged stakeholders to work together to rebuild a culture of excellence, responsibility, and respect in the education system.

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