Students in second cycle institutions are on vacation and will be at home for at least a month for off school relaxation, work and for others further studies.
These, we all agree are positive enterprises, but yet, there are other activities that some may undertake which are less popular, we can mention such as; criminal related activities, illegal mining, amoral activities, to mention a few.
There have been some disturbing trends which are absolutely unacceptable.
Are we a sinking society? How could students go to school armed with offensive weapons such as firearms, knives, machetes and God knows whatever offensive weapon, when they should be armed with books pens and other relevant teaching and learning materials?
Within the past few months Ghana has witnessed quite a number of “unstudently” related incidents, attacks on colleague students, teaching staff, students clashing with community members and peace officers, resulting in the destruction of properties and lose of lives. How did this come about?
Everyone is to blame! These happenings are not alien. My own alma mater, the Great Lawra Secondary School is rumoured to be the first school Sub Saharan Africa to be “chased” by armoured cars in other to manage student unrest (I consider it a rumor) a few decades ago.
Times, I am told, were not as “velvety” as we find today, conditions were harsh. Lack of basic social amenities such as potable water and electricity, teaching and learning materials were within far reach coupled with post colonial political adjustments to mention a few.
We could go on, and on and on, yet these worries are inherently, still part of us till date, albeit under different circumstances.
In a bid not to write a long essay, financial and social pressure, improved electronic communication, the systematic breakdown of societal values, the unveiling of the modus operandi of present day politics and quiet a few others have saddled us here, arguably.
The education system needs tremendous overhaul to mate education with problem solution in other to promote results that fix issues, pressing and medium to long term. Theory and practicality MUST synchronize
It is disturbing to find out that MOST educational institutions have very weak or no psychological, guidance and counseling units. We’ve witnessed students take their own lives for “unstudently” reasons such as love blues, using monies meant for school fees and upkeep for lottery and betting and most disturbingly occultic societies in various campuses. It even frightening to know that students are involved in cyber fraud and armed robbery.
Well, it isn’t a bleak situation we have in our hands. There are scores and scores of young students who have emerged trail blazers both nationally and internationally, I recall in recent times a girls’ school came up tops in a global robotics competitions, on the same platform we have been as a country taken our deserved seat on a spelling bee competition, the achievers under 40 years can parrot several other strides made.
The light at the end of the tunnel is definitely not a marauding train, it is one that is of expectations, hope and commitment on the part of young students. I casually spoke to some friends (newly acquired) from the Nandom Senior High School and they’re hoping to help their families in household chores especially during this farming season.
Muaudeen Kundoo, Emmanuel Dakurah and Godfred Diedong, my friends, are definitely looking up to make their vacation productive by engaging in household chores, farming and of course studies.
I jokingly asked “who’s going to galamsey?” and Muahudeen quipped “ah uncle, when I’m supposed to sit in my V8 and my driver sends me to court to defend my clients, where does galamsey come in?”,I leave and bless them with their lofty dreams and wish all students a purposeful vacation.
EMPLOY HARD WORK VISION AND HONESTY AND ABOVE ALL STAY OUT OF TROUBLE.
