The Ashanti Regional Youth wing of the National Democratic Congress condemns the action of the Vice President and the NPP Presidential candidate for using SHS Students for unachievable, unsuccessful, failed TOUR in Ashanti Region after realizing that his tour in the Region has been a fundamental failure.
During the early hours of his tour in the region, they envisage a total failure in his soo called *Youth connect* engagement so the need to bus all SHS Students to Kumasi Jubilee Park.
The action of the NPP and Dr. Bawumiar indicate the Youth of Ashanti region has rejected the NPP and Dr. Bawumiar in the 2024 General Elections.
There has never been a time where a presidential candidate will leverage on students’ time during instructional hours for political campaigning purposes.
This practice raises significant ethical and educational concerns regarding the welfare of students and the integrity of the educational environment.
As an esteemed institution committed to providing quality education and nurturing the holistic development of our students, we recognize the importance of safeguarding their educational experiences from undue political influence.
Therefore, we wish to highlight several key points regarding the detrimental effects of involving students in political campaigns during instructional hours:
*Disruption of Learning:* Instructional hours are crucial for students to engage in structured learning activities that promote academic growth and critical thinking. Utilizing this time for political campaigning disrupts the learning process and detracts from the educational objectives set by educators.
*Pressure and Coercion:* Students may feel pressured or coerced into participating in political campaigns, compromising their autonomy and freedom of choice. Such situations can create discomfort and anxiety among students, negatively impacting their emotional well-being and mental health.
*Bias and Manipulation:* Involving students in political campaigns may expose them to biased information and manipulative tactics, which can distort their understanding of political issues and undermine their ability to form independent opinions based on facts and evidence.
*Legal and Ethical Concerns:* Using students for political campaigning purposes during instructional hours raises legal and ethical questions regarding the appropriate use of educational resources and the boundaries between education and partisan politics.
Now I want to ask a legitimate question will the Regional Education Director release these children if His Excellency John Dramani Mahama or any of the Presidential candidates for the various political parties to have campaign discussions with them?
In light of these concerns, i urge political entities, educational institutions, and stakeholders to prioritize the educational welfare of students and refrain from involving them in political campaigns during instructional hours. It is imperative that we uphold the integrity of the educational environment and ensure that students are provided with a safe and conducive space for learning and personal development.
We in NDC remain committed to fostering a culture of academic excellence, critical thinking, and civic engagement among our students, and I call upon all stakeholders to join hands in safeguarding the educational integrity and well-being of our future leaders.
For media inquiries, please contact EMMANUEL REAGAN FYNN (DEPUTY ASHANTI REGIONAL YOUTH ORGANISER – NDC)
0242809593
