Since independence, the government of Ghana has understood the importance of education for improving the lives of its citizens. Through the post-independence years, the government had in fact done well for the education sector but in the late 70s and early 80s, the education sector fell into crisis due to poor management. This ought to have been a lesson to all the stakeholders, but to this date following a recent survey, Buzz Ghana recommends that there is so much that still needs to be done to put Ghana`s education system at par with the international standards.
Re-energize commitment to education reforms
In the 80s when the education system of Ghana was in the rocks, the government and the various stakeholders set out to make various reforms to improve the system. Nearly a half of the primary and middle school teachers were untrained, teaching and learning supplies were dwindling and a majority of the graduates from the primary schools lacked literacy skills. These were the conditions that spurred a broad of reforms. Many of these issues were to be thoroughly addressed and dealt with but so much with the reforms that they were not implemented to the letter so the education system still lags behind. Therefore, now would be a good time to galvanize the commitment, especially by government, towards improving the education sector. The reforms include:-
· Improvement of teacher trainee’s requirements.
· Local community participation in provision of basic education.
· Infrastructure support by both the community and government.
· Implementation of a national literacy campaign and
· Collaboration between the government and the private sector in improving the system.
The reforms proposed above should now be taken more seriously and more responsible oversight authorities should be mandated with the task of ensuring that they are implemented to the letter.
Improving the quality of teaching and learning
For the education system to improve, a lot of energy and attention should be aimed towards improving specific teaching skills. This can be achieved through pre-service and in-service teacher training. Incentive programs should be designed to aid in teacher motivation and the teachers` general welfare should be fairly review and improved overtime to give them better environment to assist students in their studies. It is also crucial to remember that promoting the quality of student learning is particularly key in improving the education standards. Reviewing the curriculum and improving teacher-student interaction is thus a basic part of healing the system from whatever it`s ailing from.
Efficiency in management
There should also be a lot of focus on the re-organization and rehabilitation of the management practices in Ghana's education system delivery. Various activities aimed at dealing with management reforms should be introduced in schools. Discipline and accountability should also be enhanced. Increased efforts in enforcing effective teaching and learning as well as elimination of teacher absenteeism should be continued. More importantly, the general conduct of teachers in carrying out their instructional and other guiding roles should maintain high level of professionalism as they focus on building the morale willingness for students to learn.
Increase access and participation of all parties
Programs and activities should be rolled out to ensure total access as well as retention of all school age children. All stakeholders especially the parents should be implored to participate entirely in educational programs within their localities. The major issue of the expansion of infrastructural facilities to aid in enhancing access should be keenly looked at. Lastly, all stakeholders should ensure good quality teaching through setting of performance targets.
Resources:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/wphegt/ghana
In the 80s when the education system of Ghana was in the rocks, the government and the various stakeholders set out to make various reforms to improve the system. Nearly a half of the primary and middle school teachers were untrained, teaching and learning supplies were dwindling and a majority of the graduates from the primary schools lacked literacy skills. These were the conditions that spurred a broad of reforms. Many of these issues were to be thoroughly addressed and dealt with but so much with the reforms that they were not implemented to the letter so the education system still lags behind. Therefore, now would be a good time to galvanize the commitment, especially by government, towards improving the education sector. The reforms include:-
· Improvement of teacher trainee’s requirements.
· Local community participation in provision of basic education.
· Infrastructure support by both the community and government.
· Implementation of a national literacy campaign and
· Collaboration between the government and the private sector in improving the system.
The reforms proposed above should now be taken more seriously and more responsible oversight authorities should be mandated with the task of ensuring that they are implemented to the letter.
Improving the quality of teaching and learning
For the education system to improve, a lot of energy and attention should be aimed towards improving specific teaching skills. This can be achieved through pre-service and in-service teacher training. Incentive programs should be designed to aid in teacher motivation and the teachers` general welfare should be fairly review and improved overtime to give them better environment to assist students in their studies. It is also crucial to remember that promoting the quality of student learning is particularly key in improving the education standards. Reviewing the curriculum and improving teacher-student interaction is thus a basic part of healing the system from whatever it`s ailing from.
Efficiency in management
There should also be a lot of focus on the re-organization and rehabilitation of the management practices in Ghana's education system delivery. Various activities aimed at dealing with management reforms should be introduced in schools. Discipline and accountability should also be enhanced. Increased efforts in enforcing effective teaching and learning as well as elimination of teacher absenteeism should be continued. More importantly, the general conduct of teachers in carrying out their instructional and other guiding roles should maintain high level of professionalism as they focus on building the morale willingness for students to learn.
Increase access and participation of all parties
Programs and activities should be rolled out to ensure total access as well as retention of all school age children. All stakeholders especially the parents should be implored to participate entirely in educational programs within their localities. The major issue of the expansion of infrastructural facilities to aid in enhancing access should be keenly looked at. Lastly, all stakeholders should ensure good quality teaching through setting of performance targets.
Resources:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/wphegt/ghana