Governance think tank, Caucus for Democratic Governance, Ghana (CDG-GH) has said the education policy of President Akufo-Addo’s led New Patriotic Party’s government is highly controversial and will have serious effect on the future prospects and quality of Ghana’s educational system “considering the unplanned nature of the policy that led to fee free SHS”
According to CDG-GH in a statement signed by its Chief Convernor, Dr. E.K. Hayford and copied Awake News, “The early history of Nana Addo’s free SHS was characterized by uncontrolled euphoria, masterminded by massive propaganda” adding that “With time, the initial problems, which was as a result of bad planning, multiplied. This time, inadequate logistics, infrastructure and lack of finances for the feeding of the exploding numbers of students, led to the introduction of the double track system.”
Mr. Hayford has maintained that lack of the needed infrastructures to accommodate the huge number pushed the government to introduce the double truck system, “where one half (green) go to school for 41 days and come to stay at home for four weeks was introduced; making absolute control of the children barely impossible” and a meassure “to alleviate the suffering of the students.”
However, the double truck period, they have observed a “possible increases in drug related offences, pregnancy, criminal activities could be registered among the children.”
“When things were getting out of control, parents started agitating. The result was the introduction of extra classes, the cost of which the parents had to bear. Some parents complained that in spite of free policy they were spending more money on their wards.” – the statement said
“The truth is that, the double track system does not promote quality education. The original high standard of education was bound to fall as a result of double track. The remedial courses apparently meant to ensure quality, cannot be sustained; as a result of financial burden on the parents. With time, the multiple increases, in the number of students and financial demands, will reduce quality education.” – Dr. Hayford reveals
The statement has also revealed a very staggering statistics from the World Bank on Ghana education where world finance institution said “56% of Ghana`s human capital will go waste in the next 18 years because of poor quality of the country`s education system.”
“The report revealed that only 44% of the children born in the country today will become productive when they grow up.” – He added
“The HCI which measures the amount of capital that a child born today can expect to attain by age 18, stated that the poor quality of education will translate into lack of capacity to support sustainable development. The report made public by the World Bank Office in Accra on the 6th of November 2018, ranked Ghana 116 out of 157 countries.”
Read the full statement:
NANA ADDO`S EDUCATIONAL POLICY IS HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL
56% OF GHANA`S HUMAN CAPITAL WILL GO WASTE, SAYS WORLD BANK OFFICE
QUALITY OF EDUCATION
The Caucus for Democratic Governance, Ghana (CDG-GH), on the basis of observations and information gathered is scared at the future prospects and quality of our system of education; considering the unplanned nature of the policy that led to fee free SHS. The early history of Nana Addo`s free SHS was characterized by uncontrolled euphoria, masterminded by massive propaganda. With time, the initial problems, which was as a result of bad planning, multiplied. This time, inadequate logistics, infrastructure and lack of finances for the feeding of the exploding numbers of students, led to the introduction of the double track system.
DOUBLE TRACK
To alleviate the suffering of the students, the double track system, where one half (green) go to school for 41 days and come to stay at home for four weeks was introduced; making absolute control of the children barely impossible. A period when possible increases in drug related offences, pregnancy, criminal activities could be registered among the children. When things were getting out of control, parents started agitating. The result was the introduction of extra classes, the cost of which the parents had to bear. Some parents complained that in spite of fee free policy they were spending more money on their wards. The truth is that, the double track system does not promote quality education. The original high standard of education was bound to fall as a result of double track. The remedial courses apparently meant to ensure quality, cannot be sustained; as a result of financial burden on the parents. With time, the multiple increases, in the number of students and financial demands, will reduce quality education.
The atmosphere of tolerance, which did not require dismissal of Headmasters for expressing dissenting views ; as practiced under President Mahama has evaporated. In some schools, students have no tables and chairs and so have to sit on the floor. Head teachers who dare to complain, are sent to remote villages or dismissed.
Of late, the Ministry of Education with its new History of Ghana Curriculum for Primary Schools (Basic 1-6), seeks to rewrite the history of Ghana by eulogizing J B Dankwa. The question is : what will such changes bring Ghana? The Caucus for Democratic Governance, Ghana (CDG-GH) is following closely discussions on the changes in Curriculum for Primary Schools (Basic 1-6) and the Public Universities Bill.
Similarly the Akufo Addo Government has found interest in renaming public Universities after political friends, relatives and family clan without any public discus. Busia University of Energy in Sunyani and Mahama Stadium in Tamale are typical examples. Besides, the Government bill to Parliament, meant to deprive the Universities of its limited autonomy is causing confusion. The Public Universities Bill is meant to reduce differentiation by reducing incentives. The question is : is this proposed Public Sector Bill relevant in present times? Is it a priority. Why is the Akufo Addo Government sharp on getting the President to select the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor. What is the use of the University Council? What is the use of the University Statute that governs the Universities? In spite of all the powers that the Constitution gives to the President, he still seeks to control the Universities. Is he perhaps a dictator?
Students Loan Trust Fund as I write is in severe distress, leaving students stranded from non payment of their loans. Instead of solving pressing problems on economy to reduce hardship among Ghanaians, Nana Addo is only interested in tightening his grip on Ghana and its Institutions.
It is therefore not surprising, that the World Bank after careful observation of our educational policies in 2017 and 2018 comes out with a clear warning on our Human resource capabilities
HUMAN CAPITAL INDEX
The latest Human Capital Index (HCI) report by the World Bank revealed that 56% of Ghana`s human capital will go waste in the next 18 years because of poor quality of the country`s education system. The report revealed that only 44% of the children born in the country today will become productive when they grow up. The HCI which measures the amount of capital that a child born today can expect to attain by age 18, stated that the poor quality of education will translate into lack of capacity to support sustainable development. The report made public by the World Bank Office in Accra on the 6th of November 2018, ranked Ghana 116 out of 157 countries.
STRATEGIC CONCEPT
In 2009 the late President Atta Mills, took over from former President Kufour . Kufour left behind 4,000 schools under trees, A well planned strategic concept by late Prof Mills and President Mahama was to give the children conditions that will generate solid foundation for further academic work. Any attempt to positively improve education, must start from the base. As a result 1,755 six classroom blocks were built, to eliminate schools under trees. School books and uniform were provided. The concept was religiously followed by President Mahama, providing the children with free shoes and free sanitary pads.
Since 2015, former President Mahama has been preparing for a gradual progressive free education as the constitution directs. He was providing first the infrastructural requirement. The two hundred Day Secondary Schools with its modern Laboratories and serene compounds is evidential. Every constituency was to get a Day Secondary School. He was planning a National stake holders meeting to discuss the variables when Akufo Addo took over power.
The result of Nana Addo`s educational policies in 2017 and 2018 is the, revelation from Human Capital Index (HCI) report by the World Bank showing that 56% of Ghana`s human capital will go waste in the next 18 years because of poor quality of the country`s education system.
Members of the CDG-GH are of the opinion, that the controversial and unpopular policies being rolled out by the Nana Addo Government should end. Double track system must be abolished. It is a recipe for disaster and would not promote quality education. The History of Ghana Curriculum for Primary Schools has to be revised, and the Public University Acts Bill withdrawn.
Dr E.K.Hayford
Chief Convener
CDG-GH
By: Efo Korsi Senyo / awakenewsroom.com
