Mahama Vs Nana Addo's State Of The Nation Address On Education

At the last State of the Nation Address (SONA), former President John Mahama took the nation on a tour of his achievements under four-year tenure in education.

Former President John Mahama pointed out in his last address in Parliament in January 2017, "two thousand (2,000) dilapidated schools popularly referred to as “schools under trees” have been replaced. Teachers are more available and are more evenly distributed than in the past. Teacher absenteeism is down from 27% to below 9%".

He said government will not relent in its efforts at providing quality education in spite of challenges.

He added that government has achieved 97% enrolment of pupils into basic schools.

Mahama said standards of education at the basic and secondary levels have declined. "Lack of access to both basic and secondary education meant that many children were being left behind."

"A shortage of professionally trained teachers, teacher absenteeism, shortage of core textbooks- resulting in a situation in which four (4) children shared one textbook-, dilapidated schools, lack of science laboratories and workshops, among others, manifested in declining results at the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) and West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).

Our vision under my administration has been to turn this situation around and not only improve access to education but also the quality of education.

Mahama said "in excess of two thousand (2,000) dilapidated schools popularly referred to as “schools under trees” have been replaced. Teachers are more available and are more evenly distributed than in the past. Teacher absenteeism is down from 27% to below 9%. This has led to more engagement hours between teachers and students."

He added that: "The progressively free secondary education programme, under which we have absorbed the major fees paid by day students, has this year been extended to cover one hundred and forty thousand (140,000) boarding students."

"At the tertiary education level, the construction of additional public universities in the Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions have improved access to university education. The sod cutting for start of work on the University of Environment and Sustainable Development in the Eastern Region, the conversion of the polytechnics into technical universities, the creation of three autonomous universities out of the University for Development Studies (UDS) are all creating additional opportunities for students to pursue courses at the tertiary level," former President Mahama said.

Nana Addo's first State of the Nation Address on education

At his first State of the Nation Address, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said government will take the nation on another tour which will be the reality of Ghana's economy.

President Akufo-Addo did not announce how it will provide the free SHS. The policy is set to begin in September 2017 and is estimated to cost GH¢3.6 billion yearly.

About 1.6 million eligible students between the ages of 15-17 years across the country are expected to benefit from the policy when it begins in September this year.

Yaw Osafo Marfo who has indicated that the government’s Free Senior High School policy will be funded by the Heritage Fund . Many have since kicked against the move, saying it will not be feasible.

In his address, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated that teacher trainee allowances will be restored when the Minister of Finance reads the 2017 budget.

"Mr Speaker, My government shall place teachers at the centre of quality education and encourage professionalism amongst them. There will have to be some legislative reforms to ease some of the bottle-necks at the district level of supervision," President Akufo-Addo said.

"By the way, teacher trainee allowances will be restored when the Minister of Finance comes to read the budget. We keep our promises jus as we will ensure that our sports development is hinged on the revival of school sports."

"Mr Speaker, there has far too much tension in the education sector. It is in everyone's interest that the school experience is a happy one for children, teachers and parents alike. The happy and skilled population, that will drive the part to development starts at school, we aim to revive the key to prosperity in our schools", Nana Addo said.

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to read the 2017 budget next month in Parliament which will capture the funding of the free SHS policy.

From Emmanuel Tornyi