By Kodjo Adams
On March 15, Accra - The Ghana News Agency reports that participants at the National Education Forum urged the government to prioritize funding for improving foundational educational facilities in order to boost accessibility.
The investment must incorporate cutting-edge financial strategies to close the rural-urban divide in fundamental education accessibility and standards, ensuring every child within compulsory schooling age has the chance to enroll in a comprehensive primary school.
This statement was made in a communiqué presented by Professor George K.T.Oduro, who serves as the Chairperson of the National Education Forum Planning Committee, following the conclusion of the Forum on Thursday.
The Forum, centered around the topic "Transforming Education for a Sustainable Future," was held from February 19 to March 13, 2025.
It followed a structure based on zonal stakeholder participation and town hall meetings across five main themes.
The items listed include: infrastructure; high-quality education; regulatory frameworks, accountability measures, and good governance; funding for education; as well as research and data collection.
The participants comprised religious groups, student bodies, local influencers, and NGOs operating in the educational sector.
The statement highlighted the significant disparity in fundamental educational facilities, availability, and standards, leading to shortfalls in obtaining high-quality basic education within underprivileged areas.
The organization urged the Government to make intentional investments aimed at narrowing the gap in the quality of basic education between rural and urban regions.
"The government needs to implement a fair distribution plan for educational funding, giving precedence to primary education, as this forms the bedrock of our educational structure," it stated.
The stakeholders suggested enhancements in providing accommodations and benefits for educators in necessary regions, encompassing increased teacher wages, improved welfare measures, and scholarship opportunities.
They encouraged the government to establish regulations for parent-teacher associations, faith-based organizations, and other stakeholders via a structured framework aimed at boosting their efficiency, involvement, acknowledgment, and influence.
Regarding the infrastructure for senior high schools, the statement demanded immediate actions to enhance school facilities and eliminate the double-shift system.
The forum included participation from 5,000 stakeholders throughout Ghana and garnered more than 2,000 submissions from both individuals and organizations. This also encompassed a study involving three sections which surveyed over 20,000 participants.
GNA
ABD
