01/12/2025
Teachers can no longer discipline students:
Panellists debate causes of WASSCE 2025 failure surge
The sharp rise in WASSCE 2025 failure rates has ignited heated debate, with panellists on West FM’s Mid Morning Show, hosted by Nickie Biney, pointing fingers at government policies, parental negligence, student behaviour, and examination practices.
Speaking on the programme, panellist Tenge attributed the poor results to what he described as weakened disciplinary structures in schools, arguing that recent policies have limited teachers' authority.
“We have reached a point where teachers go to class, teach, and walk away, no punishment, nothing,” he said. “If a student is not paying attention, all a teacher can do is teach and leave.”
He added that current rules restrict teachers from correcting students' behaviour, which he believes affects learning outcomes. “The instruction is that we shouldn't punish students. So, if you touch a student or try to discipline them, you the teacher will be in trouble.”
Tenge also criticized the previous government's distribution of past exam questions, suggesting it undermined students’ motivation to study. “If I am there and my father will go to the market to buy me past questions to learn for WASSCE, what are you insinuating?” he asked, arguing that the policy may have discouraged genuine learning.
However, he offered another explanation for the surge in failures: stricter examination conditions under the new government. He noted that this year’s WASSCE was conducted with tighter invigilation, no government-provided past questions, and fewer reported examination paper leaks.
Tenge added that the Ghana Education Service warned teachers of serious consequences if they assisted students during the examination, suggesting the higher failure rates may reflect more rigorous enforcement rather than declining student ability.
He also faulted parents for failing to monitor their children's academic progress throughout the school term, only paying attention when WASSCE results are released. He further blamed students themselves, noting that many spend excessive time on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook instead of studying, while those who dedicated time to their books ultimately passed.
Another panellist, Ozby, offered a different perspective, arguing that not all students are suited for academic education. He suggested that the free education policy contributed to an influx of students enrolling in senior high schools without sufficient regard for individual abilities and aptitudes.
Some listeners of the show also shared their views, noting that the government should take a critical look at the education system. One listener argued that the absence of corporal punishment is a key factor in the decline in academic standards, stating that back in the day, students were disciplined even for poor handwriting, which motivated them to improve.
The panellists agreed that the surge in failures is a complex issue, influenced by student motivation, parental involvement, government policies, and examination practices. As debates continue across the country, one point is clear: addressing the challenges in Ghana's education system will require coordinated action from parents, educators, and policymakers to ensure students are prepared not just to pass exams, but to thrive beyond the classroom.
