Education in Ghana

I now have a clearer understanding just what FREE education means in Ghana. Parents do not have to pay tuition however they do pay for: uniforms, exercise books (booklets of blank paper for students to write their lessons in), textbooks (paperback quality) and anything else their child may need. Books and exercise books have been created and published by Ghana Education Service. A student in primary school could need 6 or more paperback textbooks. What if the family has 6 or more children in school? This forces parents to pick and choose which books to buy and sometimes which children will go to school.. Ghana’s first lady, Mrs.Theresa Kufuor wants the entire country to shift its focus; “training of children should be the business of the entire society and not individual parents only.”

I recently visited the campus demonstration school where each classroom has Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs) on display due to the efforts of a previous volunteer. Many students do not have books so when it comes time for a teacher to teach a new challenge arises. In speaking with one teacher, he stated that sometimes the teachers themselves will purchase the book for the students. You think teachers are underpaid in America?! We are blessed with the resources we have available! Do you want to know what broke this English teacher’s heart? This school has a library WITHOUT A SINGLE BOOK! Remember: this school is considered one of the better ones!

I have had opportunity to visit many local schools in some cases children don’t have access to water or bathrooms to use during the day even. Recently on the evening news, I heard of a town where there are currently 160 children per classroom! What kind of learning is going on there? In most classrooms the children sit 2 to a desk anyway. In this school they are sitting on the dirt floor. There is a shortage of trained teachers in this country, in the Brong Ahafo region it is estimated to be about 5000.

The Teacher Resource Center is officially ready! I had pre-set things up and then they decided to paint and redo the flooring, so that meant undoing everything. Classes have only recently begun on campus so there was really no harm done. My first workshop was held on the 21st! It felt good to finally be working with teachers. There has been a constant flow of students in and out for a few weeks, curiosity mostly. Now they are getting down to business and will soon be coming in with their assignments. Open House for campus staff was held on 25th October! I am hoping our collaborative efforts will reap many benefits. So far I have organized 12 workshops to take place between now and the end of January; some for the staff on campus, some for area teachers. I will be conducting 9 of them and am excited to do so. Teacher education is FUN and the multiplying effects could make a powerful impact on this area.

Please ponder what I have written here and look around at all we have in our educational system in America. Students, reflect on the value you place on your education. All ages of students take their education seriously in Ghana, they understand what it provides. Parents instill a value for learning in your children and support the education of your children however you are able. Teachers take in a breath and be thankful for the conditions in which our schools operate. It may not be perfect but it is working and we have materials to aid in the educational process! If you are an educator with a closet full of unused books collecting dust in your classroom adopt a school in Ghana, the teachers could use those materials to help educate the children here!



Educational News Flash from Ghana
This year’s National Teacher Awards were presented to all women this year.
The winner was from Sunyani which is in the Brong Ahafo region where I am posted. She won a check for 3 millions cedis to build a house. The second and third place teachers won cars. All three female teachers were presented with computers. They really try to celebrate successes here!

Health News Flash from Ghana
They are switching over malaria treatments. In order to best publicize this fact a lively song and dance advertisement has been created and airs several times a day on television. Believe it or not TV is a good source of communication here.

I told you getting tothe internet was a challenge!

I had composed somethingon my flashdrive but unfortunately I cannot seem to get it work.
I will wait then to post about education another time.All is well and I do believe I am beginning to feelmore at home here.I have made friends with many staff members of the college. They have brought me a variety of gifts including:pawpaw(papaya),a wholebunch of plaintain, mangoes, Ghanaian chocolate,etc.
I was on TV the other night! The World Cocoa Foundation and Hersey Foundation made generation gifts of computer equipment and a photocopier to2 colleges and St.Joseph'swas one.Needlessto say we went to graciously accept and visit local schoolsin Kumasi.We hope they will get to our areanext timeasit is cocoa growing country not the city of Kumasi.
I have been asked toe-mailthe 2 foundations stories about my experiences here.
Thanksgiving will be a timefor meto postpictures and more details as I will be in a city for several days.