By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has launched its manifesto for the upcoming election, unveilling a comprehensive 20-point education policy aimed at transforming Ghana’s education sector.
The policy prioritises accessibility, affordability and quality, and is designed to address challenges facing the sector and prepare Ghana’s workforce for demands of the 21st century.
At the manifesto launch in Winneba, Central Region, NDC leadership while bemoaning the regretful state of education – especially at the basic level – emphasised the importance of education in driving economic growth, reducing poverty and promoting social mobility.
“Education is the key to unlocking Ghana’s potential. Our proposed policy is a roadmap for transforming our education system and ensuring that every Ghanaian has access to quality education from primary to tertiary level.
“We cannot turn all attention to Free SHS and neglect the basic level, which is the critical foundation level,” stressed John Mahama, NDC flagbearer.
The policy outlines several key initiatives including 1. Introduce the ‘Bright Beginnings Initiative’ to revive early childhood education for the well-being of Ghanaian children and facilitate seamless integration into continuous schooling and lifelong learning.
- Launch a ‘Furniture for All Initiative’ in partnership with the local carpentry and furniture industry to address acute deficits at the basic school level.
- Significantly improve the pupil-to-textbook ratio through comprehensive provision of curriculum-based textbooks.
- Embark on an aggressive infrastructure drive to address the increasing phenomenon of schools under trees and rehabilitate dilapidated school buildings.
- Improve the Free SHS programme by providing a dedicated and sustainable funding source.
- Decentralise the procurement of food for Senior High Schools to boost local economies.
- Abolish the double-track system to restore a stable one-track academic calendar.
- Embark on an emergency infrastructure drive to complete abandoned E-blocks and expand infrastructure in existing SHS and TVET institutions.
- Continue our policy of providing free laptops/tablets for students.
- Equip Science Resource Centres in all schools across the regions to support STEM/TVET education.
- Review the Computerised School Selection & Placement System (CSSPS) to make it merit-based and address corruption.
- Commence the establishment of regional TVET Centres of Excellence equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to promote innovation and simulate natural work environments.
- Promote recognition of the Prior Learning Certification/Step-Up Certification (SEC) programme to enable artisans in the informal sector validate and improve their skills and knowledge for academic and career progression.
- Implement a ‘No-Academic-Fee’ policy for first-year students in all public tertiary institutions, including Universities, Colleges of Education and Nursing Training Colleges.
- Provide continuing students with financial assistance by reintroducing and redeploying our Student Loan Trust Fund Plus and a reformed scholarship regime.
In contrast to the current government’s education policies, which have been criticised for prioritising Free SHS to the detriment of others, the NDC’s policy emphasises public investment in education from the basic level to build a strong foundation and ensure continuous flow to the upper levels.
The NDC has pledged to implement the policy upon taking office, with a focus on community engagement, transparency and accountability – urging all Ghanaians to join in this journey to transform the education sector.
While sections of the NDC’s 30-point education policy have been hailed as a game-changer by some civil society organisations (CSOs), education experts and stakeholders, concerns have similarly been raised about the significance or impact of some of them.
The B&FT will delve into some of these matters, engaging key stakeholders, in subsequent publications.
