Mr Nathan Ankutse, Volta Regional Training Officer of the Ghana Education Service, has observed that Ghanaian students have no love for learning.

He explained that learning, for many Ghanaian students, especially at the basic schools, might not be out of their own volition, but for fear of the cane and in the case of senior students, to pass examinations.

Mr Ankutse made the observation at a two-day training programme for media practitioners and education officers in Ho on Positive Discipline.

The training was at the instance of Actionaid-Ghana, and aimed at equipping participants with knowledge on the use of the “Positive Discipline Pack,” to build allies for the campaign against corporal punishment.

Mr Ankutse said corporal punishment continued to deter students from cultivating the habit of learning, and said it was about time teachers adopted Positive Discipline approach to correct students.

He said the current situation had resulted in too much focus on academic excellence at the expense of skills of applying knowledge to solve problems as well as social and moral values.

Mr Ankutse said consequently, students would pass examinations and become heads of organizations, but lack the skills and moral strength to perform creditably.

He said instead of teachers punishing students’ academic or behavioural mistakes, they should explain, demonstrate and model concepts and behaviours to be learned.

Mr Ankutse said Positive Discipline would help students appreciate the importance of learning, and develop positive attitudes to develop themselves academically.

Madam She-Vera Anzagira, Volta and Greater-Accra Regional Programmes Coordinator, Actionaid-Ghana, said Positive Discipline would create and maintain effective learning environment, where children would be respected.

She said that environment would build self-confidence and instil the love of learning in the students.