Corpun file 19709

Accra Daily Mail, 5 October 2007

Cane them into line

Chiefs call for re-introduction of corporal punishment into schools

The Chiefs and queen mothers of Mfantseman District have called for re-introduction of corporal punishment in schools.

They are of the view that the ban on the use of the cane in schools, except in special cases when it must be administered by the head teacher, has led to a breakdown of discipline.

"The Holy Bible justified corporal punishment when it states that spare the rod and spoil the child", the traditional rulers stated at a workshop organised by the Girl-child Education Unit of the Central Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service at Saltpond.

The workshop sponsored by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was on improvement of enrolment and retention of girls in schools.

It was also to strategise on improvement of quality teaching and learning.

The chiefs and queens also identified video shows, child labour, playing of music into deep night at funerals and broken homes as factors which inhibited good academic performance in the District.

Ms. Rosemond Blay, Regional Director of Education, said a nation had no future if education was not given a priority.

She expressed concern about with the poor BECE results of schools in the region: “I feel ashamed of the results".

According to the Regional Education Director, seven schools in Mfantseman District scored zero per cent which means that none of the students got between aggregates six to 30 to qualify for admission to the Senior High School.

Ms. Blay appealed to the chiefs, the queens and parents to do away with practices which retarded education, especially girl-child education.

The government is making every effort to improve quality of education and urged other stakeholders such as students, parents and society to play their roles effective to support the government.

Nana Araba Eyiaba, Queen of Effutu Krontinhene of Oguaa Traditional Area advised parents and guardian from over burdening girls with too much household chores since it made them tired before they get to school.

Nana Eyiaba, who is also the Deputy Regional Director of Education urged parents and guardians to offload some of the duties to the boys.

Ms Babara Abban Regional Girl-Child Education Officer appealed to women holding positions to pay regular visits home to make their siblings see them as role models.

Miss Julia Damalie, Mfantseman District Girls Education Officer said gone were the days when the kitchen was the office of the women and advised girl to rub shoulders with their male counterparts in every field of endeavour.