Global Partnership for Education allocates 75.5 million dollars to Ministry of Education

Accra, Jan 18, GNA - Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has allocated 75.5 million dollars to the Ministry of Education for the development of GPE programme in Ghana.

This followed a request by the Ministry to GPE for assistance as part of initiatives to improve quality of basic education in the country, particularly in deprived districts.

This was announced by Mr Mahama Ayariga, Deputy Minister of Education, at a press conference in Accra.

He said after last year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results had generated concern about the performance of candidates, the Ministry took some measures to improve the quality of basic education.

Mr Ayariga said a task force established toured some schools in the regions and in a report revealed poor BECE results and encouraged the schools to implement a range of short term measures.

These include extended teaching hours for Junior High School final year students, supply of teaching materials to the regions, greater supervision by district directorates, community sensitisation and programmes.

He said in the long term, the Ministry deliberated on sustainable measures to enhance quality learning outcomes that built on the progress that had been made by increased access to basic education.

Mr Ayariga said some of the measures were improving teaching quality, empowering school managers to take decisions that impact the schools positively, and strengthening the districts' capacity to resource schools for better results.

He said as a major step, the Sector Minister led a team to Washington to meet leadership of the World Bank, and made a strong case for the bank's continued involvement in basic education in Ghana.

Mr Ayariga said the bank agreed to assist Ghana to apply for the GPE assistance.

He explained that the money had been allocated for the deprived districts grant, school grant scheme, teacher development and upgrading grant, and improved school supervision and accountability.

“Let me assure you all that we are on track in our efforts to improve the quality of basic education in Ghana. We will continue to seek the support of all stakeholders and partners,” Mr Ayariga added.

GNA