Education: Tale Of Diminished Returns

Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang – Minister of Education

As it is with other ailing departments of state, education has witnessed a downward spiral as evidenced in the outcome of an international ranking in Mathematics and Science.

Ghana's abysmal performance in the two critical subjects gives credence to the fear expressed in many quarters about the state of education in the country.

Countries which hitherto could not rub shoulders with us have overwhelmed us, showing their flying colours enviable gusto.

Perhaps now that this fact has originated from non-local sources, those with the penchant for labelling anything politics when their policies yield negative dividends will have a change of attitude and be real for the first time in the interest of their motherland.

For those conversant with Ghana's excellent performance in education in her glory years, especially in Science and Mathematics, the piece of worrying news should prick their minds about what has gone wrong.

Indeed, many things have gone wrong. When bad governance overshadows the contrary, it affects all departments of state. This is evidenced by the poor educational standards, unacceptable health delivery and others bedevilling the country today.

We might be feeling bad about the development but not totally surprised, having expected such a descent when governance commenced its disturbing descent.

For Ghana, one of the colonial administration's most outstanding appendage, a model in terms of quality education, to fall to such a depth is something which should capture the attention of all stakeholders. Those who fashioned the country's early educational policy should particularly be bothered.

The country's journey to this depth, among other factors, commenced when the policy of shortening the school year was politicised and adopted by the NDC government as a means of perhaps taunting those who stood on the side of maintaining the status quo.

The Singapores, Malaysias and South Koreas have all reached where they are today through Mathematics and Science; and for us to be relegated to such an abysmal depth is cause for worry.

The factors of development have been so politicised by government that now that the chicks have come home to roost, those behind it must take another look at their policies, especially as they show no inkling of moving the country forward.

The ongoing energy crisis has not offered any impetus for progress in the realm of education. We shudder to think that in the face of all these, those in-charge of piloting the ship of state continue to live in denial of the reality, thinking erroneously that all is well.

It is lamentable that the huge amount of money invested in education would yield negative returns. The founding fathers should be squirming in their graves when they learn about the state of education today.

The free basic education and the massive infrastructure development in education in the heydays of post-independence Ghana under the late President Kwame Nkrumah, including the educational trust schools, rather than propel us beyond where we are today, have been confined to our history books for reference only.

We stand the unfortunate chance of maintaining our unenviable position on the chart of educational performance if we do not change our attitude towards governance. Cry our beloved Ghana!