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Taking STEM viral
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has started a program aimed at bringing quality STEM education to “less-endowed schools” via the university television station. The Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso, mentioned that this was an effort to dampen the effects of high attrition rates for quality teachers in rural schools. The merits and effectiveness of broadcasted education can certainly be debated, but in a country where less than a third of students are capable of passing the national science and math exams, all approaches ought to be welcomed with open arms. Furthermore, Obiri-Danso mentioned that the program had its sights set on increasing female enrollment: “the women are so important and if we want to grow as a nation, then the women should be at the forefront of education.”
Tertiary education in short supply
On the surface it seems that tertiary education has been growing at a palatable rate in Ghana, with the nation now housing 195 accredited institutions. However, Professor Clement Dzidonu, President of the Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), believes there still aren’t nearly enough colleges and universities to support the growing population. “Looking at the gross enrollment rate for tertiary education, the country is now registering 10 percent compared to the global average of 27 percent,” Dzidonu explained. Having to turn away qualified applicants due to lack of capacity is cause for concern, especially when considering how few students are able to attain the necessary WASSCE results.
Where’s the money going?
Christian Addae-Poku, President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), is scratching his head about where education funding is going. Speaking at a NAGRAT press conference in Accra, Addae-Poku wondered out loud how the education system could be so flawed despite the government patting itself on the back for spending 23-30% of the national budget on education. He expressed his disappoint over the lack of basic learning materials being supplied to the schools, saying that students were essentially being condemned to failure. “If teaching and learning materials are not provided we should not turn around in mock surprise that our children cannot attain the needed levels of numeracy and literacy,” he lamented. He also harped on the arrears teacher payment system that has, unfortunately, become commonplace.
Time to focus on technical and vocational education
Professor Jophus Anamoah-Mensah, ex-Vice Chancellor of the University of Winneba, sees the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) as a crucial for curbing unemployment in Ghana. However, he also sees the system as being inadequate in its current state. He mentioned unemployment rates being significantly higher in Ghana than in neighboring Benin or Sierra Leone and attributed much of that to a lack of resources being devoted to TVET. Citing Korea and Malaysia as examples, he spoke of the benefits of substantial vocational investment. In addition to further financial action, Anamoah-Mensah claimed that the perception vocational education needs amending. Ghanaians oftentimes view TVET as an avenue for drop-outs, rather than seeing it as a respectable education path. Additionally, he called for a unified TVET qualification framework to put it in sync with job market.
The case for legal education reform
Professor Kwame Frimpong, the Founding Dean of the Law Faculty of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (USPA), is lobbying the General Legal Council (GLC) and the National Accreditation Board to reform the country’s legal education system. Professor Frimpong wants to amend the system so that the legal program is run by individual institutions rather than mandating attendance at the Ghana School of Law (GSL). He argued on behalf of adopting a Bar Examination, similar to the system in place in the United States. Currently, even students who have attained their Literally Legum Baccalaureus (LLB) at other tertiary institutions have to complete an additional program at the GSL before becoming a certified lawyer. He complained that this current system is growing unsustainable as interest in the profession rises.
Also…
The GES has announced that SHS will reopen on September 8 and Basic Schools will open on September 13 for the 2016/17 academic year.
Airtel Ghana hosted over 100 student and teacher STEM Club members at its Data Centre for a guided tour of back-end operations.
Hats off to an American-Ghanaian fashion brand for setting up a new scholarship program that will provide tuition payments for 10 high school students each year.
Parents will now have more autonomy when it comes to course enrollment and school placement, according to Kwasi Abankwa Anokye, the National Coordinator of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). Anokye said the new resolution will help resolve some of the challenges that parents face in the wake of the placement process.
The American Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Peter Jackson, said what everyone was thinking when he delivered a speech regarding the importance of quality education in achieving the goal of economic growth in Ghana.
Ghana Web published a feature article focusing on a few examples of private sector involvement in the education sector.
News Ghana published an Op-Ed by a concerned aunt highlighting the difficulties that dyslexic children face in the Ghanaian education system.