Rise-Ghana raises concern over inadequate infrastructure in most public schools

Ahmed Awal, Executive Director RISE-Ghana

Available data from the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, CDD-Ghana, indicates that in 2013/2014 academic year, there were over three hundred and forty seven thousand pupils in the public primary schools in the region, yet a little over one hundred and eighty six thousand had seating places and only one hundred and seventy five thousand, 303 had places to write. 

It was however revealed that almost half of the pupils did not have places to sit read and write.

 In the same year under review, out of twenty five thousand, 942 students that wrote Mathematics in the BECE, only nine thousand and 94 passed with eight thousand, 814 recording a pass mark in English.   

Furthermore, only ten thousand, 928 students out of the overall figure passed in Science. 

The percentage score for all the three core subjects ranged from 34-42 percent, indicating more than 58 percent of candidates failing in English Language, Mathematics and Science in the region.

 In view of the worrying trend, the Rural Initiatives for Self-Empowerment, Rise-Ghana, an NGO is challenging stakeholders in the education value chain of the region to re-strategize and step up effort at addressing the numerous infrastructure challenges bedeviling most public schools in the region.

 It said the region cannot continue to expect improvement in the educational performance of pupils, whereas nothing concrete is done to consider the conditions under which these children study. 

While commending stakeholders such as the GES, government and CDD-Ghana and UNICEF for their strides in promoting the interest of students and reduce poverty among children, RISE-Ghana is advocating for the involvement of other key stakeholders to address the state of education in the region. 

In an interview with Radio Ghana's Isaac Asare  in Bolgatanga, the Executive Director of RISE-Ghana, Ahmed Awal, observed that performance was likely to worsen in the coming years if stakeholders develop sheer apathy in salvaging the situation. 

He said data by CDD-Ghana under its long-term project nicknamed “I Am Aware” with funding by a US-based William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, was a wake up call for parents, the general public, CSOs as well as state actors to expedite action in providing practical solutions towards ensuring quality education for all school going children, particularly those in the public basic schools.   

Mr Awal seized the opportunity to call on stakeholders to exercise their respective duties in the best interest of children. He also wished candidates writing in this year's BECE the best of luck and urged them to be focus and master  courage in the writing all the papers. 

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