Education

OVERVIEW

Access to basic education and school enrollment has improved over the years in Ghana, reflecting the positive impact of the policies and interventions of the government and development partners. Gross enrollment for primary schools improved from 83 percent in 2000 to 96 percent in 2022. Despite these gains in school enrollment, the quality of education remains low due to a lack of teaching and learning materials, trained teachers, and education system accountability.

Within this context, USAID/Ghana is working with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and its agencies, the private sector, higher education institutions, and non-governmental organizations to improve education outcomes, access, and accountability in primary schools.

PROGRAMMATIC FOCUS

• Supporting over 213 low-fee private schools (LFPS) in northern Ghana to become sustainable education institutions delivering quality instruction.
• Collaborating with the MoE to improve the performance of education system actors, including teachers, students, parents, and school management committees.
• Strengthening accountability within the MoE by operationalizing the Education Accountability Framework.
• Building the capacity of the Institute of Teacher Education & Development (INTED), to become a membership-based organization supporting educators.

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

• Provided 43,000 teaching and learning materials, including textbooks and teacher guides, to 154 schools, benefiting 11,602 students.
• Trained 213 LFPS leaders on operations, finance, and instructional leadership.
• Enrolled 510 teachers to participate in a teacher accreditation course at the University of Development Studies, Ghana’s first public university in the north.
• Collaborated with a local IT company to open an Information &Communications Technology (ICT) Center in Nanton District, Northern Region. The ICT Center serves schools with computer and technology skills training, benefitting over 1,700 students.
• Trained 1,285 teachers from primary, junior high, and secondary schools on student-centered teaching methods.
• Trained 305 school administrators and teachers on gender equality, social inclusion, and social action.
• Supported 1,254 primary schools to institutionalize accountability for learning outcomes in their schools.

OBJECTIVES IN 2024

• Conduct an education sector funding analysis to determine the financial capabilities and requirements in public schools.
• Track and advocate for the release of capitation grants - the amount of money allocated by the government to public basic schools based on school enrollment data. These funds are the main source of direct funding to schools from the government..
• Improve accountability structures within primary and junior high schools by providing technical assistance to the MOE and its agencies/affiliates.
• Train school officials to deliver quality education services and community leaders to monitor progress and hold school leaders accountable.
• Facilitate continuous career training for teachers and improve the financial sustainability of INTED to become a membership-based organization that supports educators.