The President of America has supported the move to introduce Bible study class in schools. Ghana seems to be influenced by the education systems in the developed countries to shape hers. In a recent restructuring proposal of the syllabus of Ghana schools by the Ghana Education Service, Ghana, who is seen as a Christian nation seems to rather propose that even Religious and Moral Education should no longer be a subject. It was fought vehemently years ago when the government in an earlier attempt wanted to take out Religious and moral education(R.M.E) and even Christian Religious Studies(C.R.S) in the senior high school.
All attempts however to get rid of these subjects R. M. E and C.R.S seems not to end. Another proposal has come up again against these subjects.
Morality in Ghanaian schools seems to be dwindling day by day and added to this an attempt to takeout the religious and moral education. Teachers under the supervision of their respective headteachers are no more permitted to punish using canes. Children are left to do what they decide to do and the only defence from the education authorities is that the cane or other punitive measures discourages the Ghanaian child from exhibiting his/her abilities or skills.
My questions to these authorities are that, Did the cane prevent them who went through this form of punishment from exhibiting their inbuilt capabilities?
What then is the need for headteachers. Head teachers are expected to monitor the use of the cane. The Holy Book does not frown on the use of the cane how much more us.
Now children take phones to the classroom and we see nothing wrong. In America and other European nations, children carry guns to school and hurt others. Any attempt to reprimand these children can result in prison terms in the name of Human right or child abuse. Is that what we want in Ghana.
The alternative mode of discipline however has failed since students who are asked to write several lines of words as a form of punishment can decide not to take the punishment.
In truth, the education system of Ghana is gradually collapsing because it has been politicised.
While America is trying to correct this canker, Ghana is seriously encouraging and introducing these policies.
Read the full story of President Trump who appears to be endorsing Bible study class in public schools.
President Trump appeared to endorse efforts by legislators in several states to allow public schools to offer Bible classes.
"Numerous states introducing Bible Literacy classes, giving students the option of studying the Bible. Starting to make a turn back? Great!" Mr. Trump tweeted Monday morning after "Fox and Friends" ran a segment on the topic.
Christian lawmakers in six Republican-controlled state legislatures across the country are pushing for legislation that would allow public schools to offer elective classes on the New and Old Testaments.
The push by conservative legislators in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia has stirred some controversy. Critics of the proposals, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argue that public school classes on the Bible would jeopardize the separation of church and state enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Alabama, Iowa and West Virginia have also considered Bible literacy bills, but all of the measures were voted down, according to the Fox News report.
But in Kentucky, Republican Gov. Matt Bevin signed legislation in 2017 to allow public school students to take Bible and Hebrew scriptures classes. A year ago, in January 2018, the ACLU of Kentucky expressed concern to the Kentucky Board of Education after an Open Records Act investigation found that many courses violated constitutional requirements that say that religious texts used in classrooms must be secular, objective and not promote any specific religious view.
The ACLU said it found "public school teachers using the Bible to impart religious life lessons" and use of Sunday school lessons and worksheets for source material. These are not academic approaches to objective study of the Bible and its historical or literary value, the ACLU pointed out.
In June 2018, the Kentucky Board of Education approved standards for the classes, but the ACLU was still worried about what was being taught in Bible literacy courses.
"Without more specific guidance, we fear some classrooms will once again be filled with preaching, not teaching," the organization wrote in a statement last August. "The ACLU-KY reminds students and parents that 'Bible Literacy' courses may not promote religion or a particular religious viewpoint, test students on matters of religious faith, nor be designed to instill religious life lessons."
"Religious education is best left to parents and churches, not school or government," the ACLU added.
Evangelicals and other Christian groups were an integral part of the president's electoral coalition during the 2016 election and have largely remained supportive of his administration — particularly because of his stance on social issues like LGBT rights and abortion, and his appointment of conservative judges to the Supreme Court.
Source
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-backs-controversial-push-for-bible-classes-in-schools/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab6a&linkId=62933598
