QUALITY EDUCATION & THE GHANAIAN PEOPLE

By Elizabeth Ofori, GM @TLBBHFoundation

As an SDGs Advocate and Consultant, one thing that I'm particularly concerned about is how the Global Goals translates into the different narratives of different localities, communities and national stories or conditions.

Today, thinking critically about Goal 4 - Quality Education within the context of the Ghanaian people, I have concerns about the approach of the Ghanaian Government, CSOs in the educational space and individuals championing the educational cause as to whether we are actually making progress or just going round in circles.

One huge challenge regarding the Goals and the activities of various groups in the cause is the issue of Sustainability.

The first target for Goal 4: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

For the Ghanaian people, it may look like we’re making some progress here with the government’s new free SHS policy. And before I am misunderstood, I do acknowledge that this is also a step in the right direction.

Then again, my concerns still remain:

1. Is this new free SHS program sustainable?

2. Is it an initiative that has been clearly communicated to all stakeholders especially different political groups, as well as major educational stakeholders?

3. What happens to the program when there’s a change in the political climate (I. E. A new government comes to power)

4. How is the program being funded?

5. Who is being held accountable especially for resources being used for the program?

6. Are both girls and boys having equal access to this?

7. What’s the quality and standard of this free senior high school? Is the free education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes?

8. How is the progress of the free senior high school going to be measured and evaluated in a holistic way that considers all aspects of its progress

I could go on and on but the point is, Quality Education is an important goal and I believe “quality” in this regard is not supposed to be a one size fit all thing but rather a dynamic and interactive measure that considers the unique features of the environment at play.

Let’s keep the conversation going!

#SDGs #Sustainability #4QualityEducation

#Goal4