Accra, March 20, GNA – Stakeholders in school safety and discipline have called for the mandatory enrolment of all first-year secondary school students in the School Cadet Corps to curb rising cases of indiscipline and violence.
Dr Mawugbe Mensa, a communication consultant, made the call at a stakeholder meeting in Accra, stressing that compulsory cadet training would instil discipline, leadership skills, and self-control among students.
He proposed that cadet participation be compulsory for all first-year students upon admission, after which it could become optional in subsequent years.
“The Cadet Corps, with its focus on leadership, teamwork, and self-control, has proven to be an effective tool for character development in young people. Making cadet participation compulsory for first-year students will instil these values early and create a more structured and disciplined school environment,” he said.
Dr Mensa noted that the cadet training model promotes discipline, responsibility, and leadership skills, offering a structured approach to reforming student behaviour and fostering a culture of respect and orderliness.
At present, joining a school cadet unit in secondary school is optional, though first-year students were previously required to undergo a three-month mandatory training programme.
The stakeholder meeting, organised by the Misornu Safety Centre, a public service NGO focused on security and safety awareness, brought together experts in security, safety, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution.
It also included representatives from the National Cadet Corps Ghana to deliberate on strategies to promote safety and security in schools.
The call for mandatory cadet training comes amid growing concerns over student misconduct, including violence, vandalism, and general disregard for authority.
DCOP (Rtd) David Eklu, Chief Executive of the Misornu Safety Centre, and Cadet Major Osei Bonsu, Health and Safety Staff Officer of the National Cadet Corps, endorsed the proposal, emphasising its potential to foster discipline, patriotism, responsibility, and resilience among students.
Cadet Major Osei Bonsu noted that the National Cadet Corps, with a membership of 76,577 students across basic, secondary, and tertiary institutions, had played a critical role in shaping the character of young people by providing leadership training, security awareness, and crisis management skills.
Despite these efforts, he said, the corps continued to struggle with funding constraints and inadequate cooperation from some school heads and teachers.
He called for broader stakeholder support to enhance the effectiveness of cadet operations in schools.
DCOP (Rtd) Eklu, who spearheaded the introduction of the Police School Cadet Corps in 2005, commended the National Cadet Corps for its achievements but expressed worry about the lack of resources for school cadet programmes.
He said school cadet groups, with the necessary support from stakeholders, could play a significant role in instilling discipline and implementing preventive strategies to reduce criminal activities in schools.
Referencing a recent appeal from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) for urgent interventions to address student misconduct, he reiterated the Misornu Safety Centre’s commitment to working with the Ghana Education Service and security agencies to enhance school security.
DCOP (Rtd) Eklu urged school administrators, teachers, and parents to support initiatives aimed at ensuring safety and discipline in schools, stating that a well-disciplined student population would contribute to a safer and more productive learning environment.
GNA
BAS