Beyond punishment: Children and adolescents call for safer schools

Every child deserves to enter the classroom feeling safe, respected and ready to learn.

Yet when students face bullying, violence, drug use or other harmful behaviour, school can become a place of fear and disruption instead of opportunity. Teachers are affected too, making it harder for them to create the supportive learning environment every child needs.

U-Report is a free, UNICEF-supported platform for community participation that gives children and adolescents a chance to speak out about issues affecting them and their communities. U-Report shares polls with U-Reporters, collects responses, and shares results and ideas to inform conversations, programmes, and action. Registration is voluntary and free.

Through U-Report Ghana, people have shared their views on issues including education, child marriage, violence against children, youth unemployment, child marriage, SDGs, youth skills and child online protection. Individual messages shared by U-Reporters are confidential, while aggregated poll results are publicly available.

Through U-Report Ghana, children, adolescents, and other respondents shared what school misconduct means to them, what they believe drives it, and what could help create positive change.

Their message is clear: school misconduct is a serious concern, but punishment alone will not solve it.

A problem children and adolescent people take seriously

The live poll dashboard recorded 1,536 respondents and a 96 per cent response rate. Of those who answered the question about the scale of the problem, 79 per cent said indiscipline was “very serious” and 14 per cent described it as “serious.”

For many respondents, indiscipline begins with breaking the rules. Fifty-nine per cent defined it this way, while others linked it to a lack of self-control, disrespecting others, or causing trouble.

But behind the language of rules are real concerns about safety and well-being.

In the updated poll analysis, drug use attracted the highest number of responses among the listed forms of misconduct. Attacks on teachers and disrespect were also prominent concerns, along with bullying, examination malpractice, fighting, and truancy.

These behaviours affect more than school order. They can leave children feeling unsafe, strain relationships between students and teachers and take attention away from learning.

Looking beyond the school gate

Children and adolescents’ responses also show that misconduct doesn't begin or end in the classroom.

The updated analysis identifies peer pressure as the most frequently selected cause, with 552 responses, followed by poor parenting with 481 responses.

Many influences can shape a student's behaviour, including friendships, home relationships, and the wider community. This means teachers alone cannot improve behaviour.

Parents and caregivers need to listen, guide and remain involved in their children’s lives. Schools need to work with families before problems escalate. Communities and institutions must also help create environments in which children feel protected and supported.

Children and adolescents themselves play an important role. They can challenge harmful peer pressure, treat others with respect and help make their schools safer for everyone.

Support children and adolescent people to make better choices

When respondents were asked what could improve student behaviour, about half selected guidance and counselling as the leading option. Parent support and stronger rules were also among the solutions identified.

This poll sends an important message.

Children and adolescents need clear boundaries and fair consequences when they break rules. But they also need adults who will listen, understand what may be influencing their behaviour, and help them make better choices.

Counselling can give a struggling learner somewhere to turn. Constructive engagement with parents can help schools respond before a problem becomes more serious. Consistent rules can also help students understand what is expected of them and trust that disciplinary decisions will be fair.

Respondents were not asking schools to ignore misconduct. Open-ended responses called for stronger enforcement of school rules, greater parental responsibility, better supervision and timely action. They also emphasised fairness and stronger cooperation between parents and teachers. 

The choice is therefore not between accountability and support. Children need both.

Make children and adolescent people part of the solution

Too often, conversations about school discipline happen around children and adolescents rather than with them.

But students understand many of the pressures their peers face. They can help schools identify concerns, promote respect, and develop solutions that fit their daily lives.

Student councils, peer networks, and other safe participation spaces can help bring children and adolescents into these conversations. These platforms can help learners raise concerns, seek support, and contribute to a more positive school culture.

Their participation should not replace adults' responsibilities. Instead, it should ensure that decisions intended to protect learners are informed by their voices and experiences.

Building schools where every child can thrive

Addressing misconduct requires action from everyone.

Schools need clear rules that are communicated and applied fairly. Teachers and counsellors need the capacity to support students. Parents and caregivers need to stay involved. Government and communities must help ensure that schools are safe and protective. Students must also recognise their responsibility to respect others and make positive choices.

Most importantly, discipline should not be understood only as punishment.

When a child or adolescent breaks a rule, we must ask what consequence is appropriate. We should also ask what support, guidance, or intervention will help that child or adolescent choose differently next time.

The voices shared through U-Report Ghana remind us that children and adolescents want accountability, but they also want understanding, support, and a meaningful role in creating safer schools.

Listening to them is an essential first step. 

Have your say on misconduct in schools

Want to add your voice to the conversation? Joining is simple and free. Text “JOIN” to 1755 for free on MTN, Telecel and AT. You will receive a few questions to complete your registration. Once registered as a U-Reporter, you can receive poll questions, results and other useful information.

Join U-Report Ghana and take part in polls that give children and adolescents a chance to share their perspectives on issues that matter to them. Registered U-Reporters receive poll questions through the platform.

Check out the poll results here: https://ghana.ureport.in/opinion/15060/