Stakeholders in education brainstorm on fallen academic standards

13-06-14     

MP For Builsa North, Mr James Agalga

Narration: Despite the huge investment made in the area of education over the years, academic performances of students in the Builsa District of the Upper East Region continue to decline especially at the basic level. In the last Basic Education Certificate Examination, BECE, the district performed abysmally and that gave it the enviable 165th position out of 167 districts that took part in the examination nationwide. Relatively, out of four thousand 200 candidates that participated in 2011-2013 BECE, only one thousand 321 passed, leaving whooping gap of two thousand 279 students.  The statistics showed that female candidates were more, thereby putting the district in a crisis situation. Following this worrying trend, stakeholders in the educational sector of the district met in Sandema to deliberate on how to arrest the situation. Correspondent Isaac Asare has the rest of the story for Radio Ghana

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Mr Charles Adama (Philanthropist)  presenting the items to the Sandem-Nab

Report

The meeting attended by renowned educationists, directors of education and government functionaries, brought to the fore action plans and strategies necessary in ensuring effective teaching and learning.  The meeting also identified possible causes of poor academic standards among BECE candidates some of which are poverty, high level of truancy among students, early sex and early marriages as well as child labour and neglect. Others are weak and non-functional PTAs and school management committees, poor monitoring and supervision, little effort by pupils in their studies and high incidence of lateness and absenteeism on the part of teachers. The Kassena-Nankana Municipal Director of Education, Augustine Ayirezang, said in order for the district to tackle its educational challenges, it was imperative to roll out workable interventions that can support pupils and communities, particularly the less privileged. He noted that priority should also be given to the exiting constitutional provisions that give education a sense and purpose. Mr Ayirezang, stressed the need to revisit the 1961 education act, (Act 87), the 2007 education reforms and the girl child education policy introduced in 2000 to give education a sound fitting. He called for strong collaboration among all stakeholders in the district and urged them to work for a just cause. The Paramount Chief of the Builsa Traditional Council, Sandem-Nab Azantilo, emphasized on the need for parents to regard and train their wards the traditional way. This way, he said children will not despise their own culture, language and traditions. Sandem Naba also underscored the need for a special school for girls beginning from the primary up to the senior high school level to whip their interest in girls education.  The MP for the Area, James Agalga, who is also doubles as a Deputy Minister for the interior, called on stakeholders to effectively play their roles to enable the district to reclaim its past academic glory. A group of philanthropists led by Mr Charles Adama, presented seven boxes of Mathematical sets and ball pens to the Sandem Nab to support education in the district. The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Syme, who comes from the area, graced the occasion.

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