Student Assault Video Sparks Debate on Boarding Schools

In the wake of a recent video that went viral, showing a 2023 WASSCE graduate violently assaulting his junior in a dormitory, Africa Education Watch (EduWatch) has called into question the relevance of boarding schools in Ghana.

The video, which has been widely condemned, shows the older student punching and kicking the younger student, who is curled up on the floor in a fetal position. The attack is said to have been motivated by a dispute over a cell phone.

EduWatch Executive Director Kofi Asare said that the video is just one example of the many problems that have plagued boarding schools in Ghana for years. He argued that boarding schools are no longer relevant in the 21st century, and that they have failed to live up to their promise of providing a disciplined and enriching educational experience.

Asare pointed out that the cost of providing boarding school education is almost four times that of day school education. He argued that this is a huge financial burden on parents, and that it is not justified by the benefits of boarding school.

Asare also argued that boarding schools are no longer necessary for students to mix with people from different backgrounds. He noted that Ghana is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, and that students can easily meet people from different backgrounds in their day-to-day lives.

Asare concluded by saying that boarding schools are “a relic of the past” and that they should be phased out in favor of day schools. He argued that day schools are more cost-effective, and that they provide a better educational experience for students.

The Rise of Day Schools

Asare’s comments reflect a growing trend in Ghana towards day schools. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of day schools in the country. This is due in part to the rising cost of boarding school education, but it is also due to a growing belief that day schools provide a better educational experience.

There are several reasons why day schools are becoming more popular. First, day schools offer students more flexibility. Students can live at home with their families, which allows them to maintain close relationships with their parents and siblings. This can be especially important for younger students who are still adjusting to secondary school.

Second, day schools are often more affordable than boarding schools. This is because day schools do not have to provide food, housing, and other amenities for students. This can save parents a significant amount of money, especially if they have multiple children in school.

READ:2023 BECE Integrated Science Questions (Final Ghana Education News July Mock)

Third, day schools are often seen as providing a better educational experience. This is because day schools have more resources than boarding schools. They can afford to hire more qualified teachers, and they can offer a wider range of extracurricular activities.

The Future of Boarding Schools

It is unclear what the future holds for boarding schools in Ghana. However, it is clear that they are facing increasing competition from day schools. If boarding schools want to survive, they will need to find ways to lower their costs and improve their educational offerings.

It is also possible that boarding schools will eventually become obsolete. As Ghana becomes more urbanized, it may become increasingly difficult to justify sending children to boarding school. In the future, it may be more common for students to attend day schools, even if they live in rural areas.

READ: 2023 Likely BECE ICT Questions And Answers

Only time will tell what the future holds for boarding schools in Ghana. However, it is clear that they are facing a number of challenges, and they will need to adapt if they want to survive