The Ministry of Education has officially launched the reconstituted Education Sector Research Group (ESRG), reinforcing its commitment to evidence-based policymaking aimed at improving learning outcomes for Ghanaian children.
The inauguration, held on Wednesday, is part of the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project – Additional Financing (GALOP AF2) and is funded by the World Bank and other partners. The revamped ESRG is tasked with strengthening the use of data and research in educational decision-making.
Key Objectives for Reconstituting the ESRG:
- Diverse and Inclusive Membership:
The ESRG now includes representatives from academia, civil society, think tanks, and development partners—broadening the range of perspectives guiding the Research and Learning Agenda (RLA). - Enhanced Coordination through GEEDLab:
GALOP AF2 supports the creation of the Ghana Education Evidence and Data Laboratory (GEEDLab), a new research hub that will collaborate closely with ESRG to ensure alignment between studies and policy needs. - Faster, Evidence-Driven Action:
The group aims to bridge the gap between research and action, tackling urgent issues such as learning loss, digital access, and crisis response in education.
Minister’s Charge to the ESRG:
Education Minister Harun Iddrisu urged the group to:
- Finalize a robust research and learning agenda
- Produce actionable, evidence-based policy briefs
- Track how research findings influence policy decisions
He emphasized the importance of transparency, innovation, and collaboration, encouraging the group to share data, avoid duplication, and present findings in formats accessible to all stakeholders.
“Evidence without action is merely information. Evidence harnessed for strategic decisions is the power to allocate resources equitably to improve learning outcomes,” the Minister stated.
He also called for quarterly reviews, better alignment with GALOP AF2 indicators, and thanked funding partners including the SCALE Funders, Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and the World Bank.
The Minister expressed hope that the ESRG will evolve into a leading platform for collaboration and research, focused on transforming the education system for the benefit of millions of Ghanaian children.
