‘State, church have roles to play in provision of holistic quality education’

The Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has called for strict measures to curb the growing indiscipline, violence and sexual assault in some Senior High Schools (SHSs).

The church warned that the recurring trend threatens the quality of education and the development of responsible young people.

The call was made in a communiqué issued at the end of its 26th General Assembly, held virtually from July 31 to August 11, 2026, and in person from August 12 to 16 at the Ramseyer Training Centre, Abetifi-Kwahu.

The Assembly was held under the theme, “celebrating our heritage: Building on the foundation already laid,” based on 1 Corinthians 3:11.

The theme, the communiqué said, was intended to remind Presbyterians of God’s faithfulness throughout the Church’s 198-year history while encouraging members to remain committed to its mission.

According to the church, reports of attacks on teachers, violence and sexual assault among students were worrying signs of a broader culture of indiscipline in the country which required urgent attention from all stakeholders.

It therefore urged the government to expedite action on the revised partnership agreement between the State and mission institutions to strengthen collaboration in the delivery of quality education.

The Assembly said the realities of the present time made collaboration between the State and faith-based institutions essential to achieving sustainable educational outcomes.

It stressed that mission institutions should not be relegated to the background, noting that both the State and the church had important roles to play in providing holistic quality education.

The church further called for a national conversation on disciplinary measures in schools to ensure that young people were properly trained to become responsible adults.

According to the PCG, the rising incidents of violence and attacks on teachers in some SHSs reflected “a deeper systemic failure” and were an offshoot of the general indiscipline among the Ghanaian populace.

The PCG also welcomed the ban on extravagant SHS graduation celebrations and urged parents, schools and society to support the promotion of modesty and humility among young people.

As the PCG prepares towards its bicentenary in 2028, the Church said it would continue to draw strength from its heritage and build on the foundation laid by Christ and its forebears.

It reaffirmed Christ as the “unshakable, eternal foundation” of the Church and pledged to preserve its legacy while continuing to proclaim the Gospel.

The Assembly also reaffirmed the PCG’s commitment to working with the government, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that Ghana remained a peaceful, just and prosperous nation for present and future generations.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu