The lived experiences of St. John’s Grammar senior high school students: understanding the relevance of crime-related matters in Ghana

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the impact of crime prevention education on senior high school student's knowledge and attitudes toward crime. The study was conducted using a phenomenological approach, which involve in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of students. The participants were selected based on their involvement in crime prevention education programs and their experiences with crime-related issues. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. This helped identify themes and patterns in the participants' responses. The study revealed that students who receive crime prevention education are more aware of crime-related issues and have a better understanding of how to prevent them. Moreover, crime prevention education programs portray limited systematic implementation, and in an age-appropriate manner, to ensure that students receive the right knowledge and skills to deal with crime-related issues. It is recommended that educational authorities may prioritize the development of a comprehensive curriculum model that covers a wide range of crime-related topics, including personal safety, community safety, cybercrime, substance abuse, and more to increase students' knowledge and awareness of crime prevention strategies and their understanding of the legal and ethical implications of criminal behaviours. Also, the school authority may establish partnerships with community organizations, law enforcement agencies, and relevant stakeholders to enhance the implementation of crime prevention programs. This collaboration can provide additional resources, expertise, and support to address challenges effectively.