When Schools Breed Violence? – Augustine E. K. Toussaint writes

When did our schools, especially our Senior High Schools (SHS), become breeding grounds for hooliganism?

For as long as I can remember, inter-school rivalry has always existed. But in recent times, this rivalry appears to be transcending beyond intellect and excellence to something far more disturbing; who fights best.

Sadly, a student of Obrachire Senior High Technical School recently became the victim of a brutal attack during the District Schools Athletics Games in Agona Swedru.

What should have been a celebration of talent and healthy competition instead descended into chaos, leaving the student with multiple facial injuries. Videos circulating online show a horrifying and hideous scene: about three male students attacking another student who was helplessly caught in the crossfire.

This incident is more than an isolated act of violence; it is symptomatic of a troubling trend. Schools, which are meant to be safe havens for learning and growth, are increasingly turning into arenas of aggression. Rivalries that should teach sportsmanship and intellectual excellence now escalate into hostility.

Minor disagreements balloon into physical altercations. The values of empathy, discipline, and respect are gradually giving way to intimidation and fear.

How did our schools reach this point? For one, discipline enforcement is often reactive rather than preventive. Conflicts between students are frequently ignored until they spiral out of control.

Coupled with this is the inadequate emphasis on character development. While academic performance dominates the curriculum, life skills—such as conflict resolution, emotional intelligence and cooperation—are often sidelined.

Moreover, peer pressure and unhealthy competition exacerbate the problem. Inter-school events, rather than fostering camaraderie, sometimes amplify rivalry. Without proper guidance from teachers, parents and community leaders, students are left to navigate these pressures on their own and some turn to aggression as an outlet.

The consequences of this culture extend beyond the immediate victims. Violence erodes the sense of safety within schools, discourages participation in extracurricular activities and can permanently damage a student’s trust in peers and authorities.

More broadly, it signals a worrying societal pattern: if young people learn to resolve disputes with force rather than dialogue, the consequences could ripple far beyond the classroom.

Addressing this requires more than arrests and suspensions—it demands a recommitment to the values of education itself. Schools must not only teach knowledge but also model civility and accountability. Sporting events should be structured to encourage fair play, with adequate supervision and clear consequences for aggression.

Teachers and administrators must be proactive in identifying tensions before they escalate. Parents and communities must engage actively in guiding students toward empathy, self-control and respect for others.

The Obrachire attack is a stark reminder that violence has no place in schools. Educational institutions are meant to shape minds, instill values and nurture the next generation of citizens.

If we allow hooliganism to take root within their walls, we are failing not only the victims but the very purpose of education.

The question is not only who will face justice for this attack—but how we, as a society, will ensure that schools remain places of learning rather than arenas of violence.

Until then, every sporting event, every inter-school competition, and every rivalry will carry not just the thrill of competition—but the lurking fear of chaos.