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NDC plans for next term…
The NDC released its Election 2016 Manifesto, chock full of statements about what the NDC plans to do if reelected in December. The Party pledged to establish new Colleges of Education in the Greater Accra, Central, and Northern Regions. Additionally, the NDC claims it would complete the conversion of ten polytechnics into technical universities. The Party would better resource the public tertiary institutions and revamp medical education by enabling high-standard private sector medical schools. Several other plans were listed as well, ranging from literacy efforts to gender inclusion.
… And so does the CPP
The CPP also revealed its education policy direction. The Party mentioned that it would establish an Accelerated Education Sector Investment Program (AESIP) to adequately resource schools. The CPP stated it would significantly reduce income taxes for teachers and would provide tax incentives for private sector to build school infrastructure in particular areas of the country. It also addressed the working conditions of teachers, saying timely payment of salaries would occur.
Current education structure stifles innovation
Anis Haffar, an education consultant, argues that not only does Ghana’s education system fail to promote creativity, it destroys it. Probably unsurprising to most, Haffar’s claims rest on the notion that rote learning doesn’t exactly prime students for deeper thinking. Rather, he thinks it actually serves as an impediment to productivity. He did seem to imply that rote learning hasn’t always been so problematic, but in such an innovative world, education needs to get with the times.
Taking a look at private vs. public education
Results for Development and the UBS Optimus Foundation published a report that looked at private education in Ghana. Unsurprisingly, largely due to better infrastructure and teacher attendance, most Ghanaians perceive private education to be superior to public education. The report largely focuses on the financial commitment for private schools, highlighting that after considering all fees, it costs about 50% more to send a child to private rather than public schools.
Making progress in teacher absenteeism
In 2012, the Ministry of Education (MoE) implemented the Zero Tolerance for Teacher Absenteeism policy. Three years later, the results indicate that this policy has been quite effective. Prior to the policy, teacher absenteeism stood at 27%. Today, that number has been reduced to just 7%. Minister Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was pleased with this initial success and said the policy would remain until the number was brought to zero.
BoG wants their headmaster back
Last week, the Ghana Education Service (GES) director Jacob Kor dismissed a headmaster from his duties for charging students unapproved fees. This week, the Board of Governors at St. Augustine’s College, the headmaster’s former school, has asked GES to reverse its decision. In a publicized letter, the Board argued that the GES decision was “not premised on needed investigation.”
Also…
The GES has reminded teachers not to engage in political activities during working hours.
Another call for TVET to be revamped, reformed, and rebranded.
UNESCO is urging African countries to place a greater emphasis on STEM education.
MoE Minister Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang highlighted her agency’s success at the Meet-the-Press series in Accra.
A Deputy Minister at the MoE has revealed that more than 300,000 students are studying in Ghana.
The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) has launched a report on the NDC’s ability to follow through on the promises made in its 2012 education manifesto.
A speech was read on President Mahama’s behalf this week. In it Mahama wrote “education is key and an indispensable tool for accelerated socio-economic development of any nation.”
Video on Princess Abiwu and her goal to further education in rural areas.