The National Peace Council (NPC) has urged students in the country not to use religion as a cover for indiscipline, warning that such behaviour undermines both their education and peaceful coexistence in schools.
Speaking during an outreach session at the Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC) at Kokomlemle in Accra, a member of the NPC Governing Board, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, reminded students that youth was a transitional and critical phase of life filled with hidden potential.
“Your youthful stage is only temporary. Stay focused on your studies, remain disciplined, tolerant, and make the best use of your time in school.”
“Do not allow religion to become an excuse for breaking school rules. Respect authority and let your education shape you into responsible citizens,” Sheikh Shaibu told the students.
Importance of tolerance
He encouraged the students to combine academic excellence with strong moral values that would serve them throughout life.
The Director of Capacity Development and Outreach at the NPC, Mrs Janet Sarney-Kuma, elaborated on the Council’s mandate and emphasised the importance of tolerance, compassion, respect, cooperation, and non-violence in building peaceful school environments.
She outlined practical conflict-resolution strategies and highlighted how unresolved disputes among students could escalate into broader societal problems.
The Vice Principal (Academics) of ATTC, Rev. Mordecai A. Nickson-Nubuor, commended the NPC for its peace-building efforts and thanked Sheikh Shaibu and the team for the sensitisation programme.
Sensitisation programme
The engagement at ATTC formed part of the NPC’s ongoing “school violence prevention and sensitisation programme,” launched in response to a recent surge in student unrest that has resulted in injuries, deaths, and destruction of school property.
So far, the Council has taken the peace education campaign to 11 senior high and technical schools in the Greater Accra Region.
The initiative seeks to equip both students and school authorities with the tools to prevent and manage conflicts effectively, while addressing the root causes of violence and fostering a culture of tolerance.
Through intensive dialogue and training, the NPC aims to transform schools into safer, more conducive spaces for learning and personal growth.
