Professor Stephen Adei, former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), has called on the government to abolish the public school boarding system.
He warned the system is fostering the development of social vices among students.
His comments come in the wake of a viral video showing a student of Adisadel College in Cape Coast assaulting a fellow mate over a mobile phone sim, leading to their suspension.
Speaking on Asaase Breakfast Show, Professor Adei expressed concern over the prevalence of social vices within boarding schools.
He suggested the traditional boarding system has lost its relevance, particularly with the introduction of free Senior High School (SHS) education.
While acknowledging the usefulness of boarding schools in training a select group of elites in the past, Professor Adei argued that the current education landscape, with the implementation of free SHS, warrants a reevaluation of the boarding system’s role.
He said, “Once we have reached a certain level, boarding school as a public means of education is a no, no. I tell you at this moment that people in boarding schools are likely to pick more anti-social things, including lesbianism and occultism, than before.”
The recent incident at Adisadel College, where a disagreement over a mobile phone sim resulted in a physical altercation between students, highlights the potential negative consequences of the boarding system.
The school administration promptly suspended the involved parties in response to the incident.
Professor Adei’s call for abolishing the public school boarding system aims to address concerns about the prevalence of social vices and indiscipline among students.
He advocates for a shift towards localized education, which he believes could be a more suitable approach in the current educational landscape with free SHS.