The Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has launched an initiative to train chiefs, Queen mothers, and assembly members to support teachers in basic level education schools. Dr. Adutwum revealed that the trained chiefs have committed to providing accommodation for teachers posted to their communities.
The minister emphasized the importance of community involvement in supporting teachers, stating that “the community must be involved and support the teachers.” Dr. Adutwum noted that when chiefs learn about their community’s poor performance in Ministry of Education data, they offer support because they understand the stakes for their children’s future.
The community-led approach creates a sense of urgency and partnership, with government support and interventions from the Ghana Education Service (GES) being warmly embraced. The Complementary Education Agency is also providing literacy classes for parents in these communities, starting with the Estella community at 500 Townsend Village.
The ministry identified low-performing communities from previous national standardized tests and targeted interventions to address these challenges. By engaging communities and traditional leaders, the ministry aims to improve basic education outcomes and ensure a brighter future for Ghana’s children.
Dr. Adutwum’s initiative is a significant step towards community-led education development, recognizing the critical role traditional leaders play in supporting teachers and improving education outcomes. The training program is expected to have a positive impact on teacher retention and student performance in rural communities, where support for education is often limited.
