Seasoned journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has cautioned against what he calls “unchecked progressive thinking” in Ghana’s education system, warning that relaxing long-standing school regulations, such as hairstyle restrictions, could erode discipline among students.
Participating in a heated discussion on Good Morning Ghana which was monitored by MyNewsGh, Pratt argued that the push for liberal rules in schools mirrors a global trend that has weakened authority in classrooms.
“We are entertaining progressive thinking in this country to a level that, if we’re not careful, we’ll reach absurd situations like in some Western countries where teachers can’t even restrain children for fear of lawsuits,” he said.
Pratt recalled his days in boarding school, describing a regimented but effective environment that built character. “We woke up at 4 a.m. to sweep, fetch water, and study before assembly. That structure shaped us,” he noted.
According to him, such discipline is what keeps educational institutions functional, especially with the current surge in student populations and limited teaching staff.
“You can barely manage five kids at home without rules. Imagine thousands in a school. Without structure, chaos will follow,” he added.
He dismissed arguments that hairstyle freedom promotes expression, insisting that Ghana’s secondary education system was designed for discipline and equal treatment.
“This is not about freedom; it’s about function. Schools can’t be run like fashion shows,” he remarked.
Backing Pratt’s point, a co-panelist emphasized that the conversation largely concerns female students, warning that allowing long hair would invite unnecessary distractions and complicate enforcement.
Both men concluded that parents who cannot accept public school regulations have alternatives.
“GES rules are not compulsory,” Pratt said. “If you prefer flexibility, private schools or homeschooling exist.”
