Akufo-Addo: Government shaping future of education for positive outcomes

President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated emphatically that his government’s investments in the education sector is in the short, medium and long term, leading to the positive shaping of the future of education in the country which will guarantee excellent outcomes.

Over the past six (6) years and ten (10) months since assuming office, President Akufo-Addo says his administration has made systematic investments into the sector and the evidence and positive outcomes of these efforts according to the President are already manifesting for all to see.

Educational investments

Addressing attendees of the opening ceremony of the 61^st annual Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), at Achimota School in Accra, on Wednesday, 11 October 2023, President Akufo-Addo together with stakeholders in the education sector, the lot of all Ghanaian children of school going age is being bettered.

“It is important that a nation, which aims to transform itself into a modern productive player in the global market, must get its educational policies right. There is no part of Ghana or segment of our society that does not recognise the importance of education.

“We have all accepted that education is the best route to moving out of poverty. This is because the nations that have made rapid progress around the world have all put education at the heart of their development.

“The United States of America did it over a century ago, as did Japan, Britain did it eighty years (80) years ago, and the nations that we started life with, over sixty (60) years ago, like Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, have all done it. We must follow suit,” President Akufo-Addo said.

“Together with you, members of CHASS, the Akufo-Addo Government is shaping the future of education in Ghana for excellence in its outcomes. This is not just a project, it is a movement, a transformation, and a promise for a brighter, digitally empowered tomorrow. I express my deepest gratitude to all stakeholders, educators, parents, and communities who have contributed to this wonderful journey”

“We are, indeed, shaping a brighter future for Mother Ghana, where the Ghanaian people will witness a flowering of Ghanaian civilization, which will ensure that every Ghanaian child, no atter their economic, ethnic, gender, regional or religious background, will have ready access to quality education comparable to any anywhere in the world. The Black Star is going to sparkle” Akufo-Addo added.

Kindergarten

At the kindergarten school level, President Akufo-Addo observed that his government has invested significantly in teachers, equipping them with modern methodologies tailored for early childhood development. He added that his administration has also provided age-appropriate learning materials, play equipment, and resources for interactive and engaging learning experiences.

“Through GETFund, we are executing one thousand, two hundred and seventy (1,270) infrastructure interventions, setting new standards for early childhood education.

“These schools boast cutting-edge technology, including smart boards, to enhance interactive learning experiences. I am pleased to report that a substantial number of these projects are nearing completion, and, by early 2024, they will be fully operational” the President noted.

Primary / JHS

In primary and junior high schools, government according to President Akufo-Addo, has focused a substantial number of its interventions on empowering teachers, through extensive training and capacity building.

He further indicated that the Akufo-Addo administration has ensured the consistent provision of learning materials and embarked on targeted infrastructure upgrades to create conducive learning environments.

“The implementation of National Standardized Tests for Primary 2 and Primary 4 pupils is a pivotal step towards assessing and improving learning outcomes. It is gratifying to note that proficiency in reading for Primary 2 students has seen a significant improvement, from two percent (2%) in 2015 to thirty-eight percent (38%) in 2022” Akufo-Addo remarked.

“To uphold the integrity of examinations, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the West African Examinations Council, has instituted serialization of examination papers for BECE and WASSCE, deterring cheating and malpractices. This ensures that examination results are a true reflection of students’ knowledge and abilities.

“Our Model Junior High Schools project, supported by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, aims to strengthen the lower secondary level of education. Eleven (11) model schools are currently under construction, each designed with modern amenities to provide an optimal learning environment” he further remarked.

SHS level

At the Senior High School level, in tandem with the National Digital Literacy Project, the President observed that the e-Transform Ghana project stands as a beacon of progress. With an investment of ninety-seven million United States dollars (US$97 million), government the President said, is enhancing service delivery through ICT.

“Among its many facets, the e-Education component promises to establish computer laboratories in three hundred and five (305) public Senior High Schools in all the regions of the country. These labs will be equipped with cutting-edge technology, fostering an environment where students can immerse themselves in the digital realm.

“As we open tenders tomorrow, on 12 October, for the equipment in the remaining two hundred and thirty-two (232) Senior High Schools, and with contracts already signed for seventy-three (73), we are well on our way to bridging the digital divide” the President stated.

“Our commitment to every student’s journey into the Fourth Industrial Revolution is unflinching. The “One Student One Tablet” initiative is evidence of our belief in the transformative power of technology. By repositioning our educational system, we are nurturing a generation of empowered Ghanaians armed with the skills essential for our economic prosperity.

“In partnership with the Ministry of Communication and with support from the World Bank, we have birthed the Ghana Skills and Knowledge Bank (GSKB). This centralized hub is poised to revolutionize access to educational resources, offering a plethora of content curated to align with our national curriculum” Akufo-Addo added.

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), in the President’s estimation, has seen a comprehensive modernisation and expansion drive. New state-of-the-art facilities, Akufo-Addo said, are under construction, whilst existing ones are undergoing renovation and upgrading.

He also pointed out that the Dual TVET Method, combining classroom learning with practical, on-the-job training, is revolutionizing skills development in the country, ensuring learners are well-prepared for their chosen fields.

“A comprehensive review of TVET curricula has also been undertaken to align them with current industry demands and emerging technologies. This process involved collaboration with industry stakeholders to identify the skills and competencies needed for a rapidly evolving job market. The revised curricula aim to equip students with practical, job-ready skills that are in high demand” the President stated.

STEM education

On STEM education, President Akufo-Addo indicated that it has become the cornerstone of progress and innovation in the modern world. STEM, he said, the world over, is being used to equip the youth with the critical skills needed to navigate an increasingly technology-driven global landscape. The goal of his government the President said, is to position Ghana as a leader in STEM education and innovation on the African continent.

“The percentage of General Science students in our schools has been some twelve percent (12%) for some time. I am happy to state that the percentage, this year, has risen to some fifteen percent (15%), and it is expected to increase even further to some twenty-four percent (24%) in 2024.

“Government is creating a STEM pipeline to increase STEM enrolment at tertiary education level, through pre-engineering programmes. The pre-engineering programme has been introduced to target Senior High School Graduates in General Arts, Visual Arts and Business.

“The one-year pre-university programme, launched in February 2022, has admitted its second cohort of students. The objective is to increase the talent pool from which engineers can be selected to ensure the number of engineering graduates, that is First degree and Higher National Diploma, increases from the current six thousand, five hundred (6,500) to thirty thousand (30,000) by 2030” President Akufo-Addo said.

“At the senior high school level, increasing enrolment in STEM has been made possible by operationalizing four (4) newly constructed STEM Model Schools, and converting three (3) existing schools into STEM Model Schools.

The Ghana STEM Academy Schools are Abomosu STEM Academy, Awaso STEM Academy, Kpasenkpe STEM Academy, Bosomtwi Girls STEM Academy, Bosomtwi STEM Academy, Accra High School STEM Centre, and Koase Secondary Technical School.

These schools have been equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms, dormitories, assembly halls, dining halls and conducive environments to foster teaching and learning. There are some two thousand, four hundred (2,400) students enrolled to study General Science and STEM in the seven (7) schools” he added.

Higher education

Government’s commitment to expanding higher education President Akufo-Addo said, has borne fruit, with the establishment of new institutions catering to a diverse range of academic disciplines. These institutions, according to President Akufo-Addo, are strategically located to ensure equitable access to higher education opportunities for students from all regions.

Among the proposed new universities are; the University of Engineering and Applied Sciences in Akrodie in the Ahafo Region, Mampong University in the Ashanti Region, and Bunso University in the Eastern Region.

“Additionally, the University of Health, Culture, and Life Sciences in Kintampo, in the Bono East Region, formed through the merger of the Kintampo College of Health and Well-being and the Kintampo Research Institute, stands as a testament to our dedication to fostering excellence in education.

“These new universities are expected not only to provide high-quality education, but also stimulate economic growth and development in their respective regions. They will serve as hubs for collaboration between academia and industry, creating a dynamic environment for learning and innovation” Akufo-Addo noted.

“Furthermore, our “No Guarantor” policy, under the Student Loan Trust Fund, is breaking down financial barriers for students seeking higher education. By eliminating the requirement for a guarantor, we empower students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their educational aspirations without undue financial burden.

“To align tertiary education with the needs of the job market, Government has created partnerships between tertiary institutions and industries. These collaborations provide students with practical training, internships, and research opportunities, ensuring they graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are directly applicable in their chosen fields” he added.

Reporting by Wilberforce Asare in Accra

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