Re-introduce corporal punishment - Traditional rulers

Chiefs and Queens mothers in the Mfantseman District have called for re-introduction of corporal punishment in schools to instil discipline among pupils and students. According to them the ban on the use of canes in schools, except in special cases when it must be administered by the head, has led to a break down 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 to find ways of improving enrolment and retention of girls in schools. It was also to strategise on how to improve quality teaching and learning. The traditional rulers also identified video shows, child labour, playing of music deep into the night at funerals and broken homes as factors inhibiting good academic performance in the District. Ms Rosemond Blay, Regional Director of Education in an address said there would be no future for the nation if education was not given a priority. She was not happy with the poor BECE results of schools in the region saying "I feel ashamed of the results". According to the Regional Education Director, seven schools in the Mfantseman District scored zero per cent, which meant that none of the students presented for the examination got between aggregates six and 30 to qualify for Senior High School. Ms Blay appealed to the traditional rulers and parents to do away with practices, which retarded education, especially that of girls. The government was making every effort to improve the quality of education, she said and urged students, parents and the society to play their roles effectively to support the government. Nana Araba Eyiaba, Queen mother of Effutu and Krontinhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, advised parents and guardians from over burdening girls with household chores since it made them tired before they got to school. Ms Babara Abban, Regional Girl-Child Education Officer, appealed to women holding positions of trust to pay regular visits to their hometown and to act as role models for girls. 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 strive rob shoulders with their male counterparts in every field of endeavour.