By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, Feb. 25, GNA – The National Peace Council (NPC) has condemned the rising cases of violence and assaults in Senior High Schools (SHSs), describing the trend as alarming and a threat to safety in educational institutions.
The Council cited six reported cases of student assault, including an incident involving a student of Obrachire SHS who was hospitalised after being attacked during a district athletics competition.
In a statement issued in Accra, the NPC strongly condemned the alleged gang rape of a female student of Osino Presbyterian SHS and the stabbing of a final-year student of the Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SECTECH).
The two incidents occurred separately during the Super Zonal Sports Festival held at Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
The Council also denounced the assault on teachers of West Africa SHS by students of Frafraha Community SHS at Adentan, as well as the attack on a final-year student of Adisadel College by six students of Aggrey Memorial School during an inter-colleges sports festival in Cape Coast.
It noted that although the Ghana Education Service (GES) had condemned the incidents and assured the public of disciplinary action, the NPC was adding its voice to the directive by the Ministry of Education for the GES to expedite investigations into the matters.
The Council called for enhanced security in schools and at sporting events and underscored the need to strengthen counselling and guidance services to address indiscipline, aggression and intolerance among students.
It appealed to parents and guardians to play a more active role in the moral upbringing of their wards by promoting discipline, tolerance and respect for diversity.
The NPC reiterated its commitment to intensify sensitisation programmes on peace, tolerance and non-violent conflict resolution.
It urged the GES and other stakeholders to strengthen disciplinary measures and policies to ensure that schools remain safe havens for learning and harmony.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey