A renowned Kenyan professor and educationalist, Prof. Winston Kimani, has extolled the exploits and giant strides made in Ghana’s education sector by the Minister for Education, Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.
Speaking to Nairobi based Radio Citizen on the current state of affairs in Kenya, particularly, on education, the Professor of Education at the University of Nairobi, cited the significant progress that Ghana’s education sector has seen over the few years under the current government.
Making reference to the recent state of education address made by Ghana’s Education Minister, Prof. Kimani commended Ghana’s government and suggested the Education Minister is made the Minister of Education for the entire continent as he has shown the way through STEM education.
Dr.Osei Yaw Adutwum, Ghana’s Education Minister
“We in Kenya really have a long way to go and Ghana has shown the way through her Education Minister, one Dr. Adutwum. As an educationalist, I’m enthused about what goes on in other countries and I must say I was highly impressed by the significant progress made in Ghana’s education sector over the few years under the current government and its education minister…”
“…their Education Minister should be made the Minister of Education for the entire continent. He is such a visionary person who has shown the way through STEM education”, he added.
Kenya has recently been in the news for a wave of protests that is sweeping through the East African country over various concerns and issues. Many experts and scholars are reacting to the situation and proffering solutions that would transform the country.
It is based on this that the renowned Kenyan professor made reference to the exploits made in Ghana’s education sector by Ghana’s government through its Education Minister.
The Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has hinted that the various innovations and policies introduced by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government into the nation’s education sector are all geared towards empowering the Ghanaian youth as well as eradicating poverty from the country.
Dr.Osei Yaw Adutwum delivering his statement
He explained that the massive infrastructure development at all levels of education, the upgrade of Colleges of Education to tertiary and the introduction of the National Education Leadership Institute (NELI) are but a few of the strategic policies and initiatives meant to transform as well as help empower the youth economically.
Some scenes from the event
Speaking at the Accra International Conference Centre on Tuesday when he gave an update on the State of Education in Ghana, Dr Adutwum stated that with the current state of education development in the country, there was no way the nation could not be transformed.
The event organized by the Education Ministry in collaboration with other Agencies attracted academicians, politicians, students, Civil Society Organizations, Faith-Based Organizations and the general public.
Highlights of the event
Some of the key highlights of the event were the detailed explanation of the new bills and policies introduced with the view to improving the education system in the country, the National Education Leadership Institute, the introduction of robotics and Pre-Engineering programmes.
He also threw more light on Nana Akufo Addo’s flagship Free Senior High School policy, the physical transformation of schools throughout the country, and curriculum improvement, including the Standard-Based Curriculum, Secondary Curriculum, and STEM Curriculum, among others.
Evidence-Based Communication
One unique feature worth noting was that as typical of the Minister, he supported his presentation with pictures, short videos, and charts that ignited national discussions on what the government has been doing to train 21st-century graduates for the country.
Another unique scene was how the Minister during the presentation would pause, speak to the pictures and diagrams thrilling the well-packed audience who intermittently applauded him for the massive development in the sector.
Dr Adutwum indicated that the ongoing development in the education sector was a pipeline for transmitting the nation’s development agenda.
“We cannot fight poverty through memorization but through critical thinking hence the introduction of the various interventions to ensure that our students become very assertive and work towards solving societal challenges”. He said.
The Education Minister praised President Akufo-Addo for his vision and passion for the development of the nation through education.
Again, he stated that the President’s legacy for the education sector would forever be remembered by the nation especially for the FSHS policy which has brought massive improvement in access, equity, quality and improved outcomes.
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The Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has announced that Cabinet has approved a proposal to enact a law making senior high school education free and compulsory.
According to him, this law will also provide legal backing for the policy.
Speaking at the “State of Education in Ghana” program, Dr Adutwum said the initiative represents a significant step toward formalising and sustaining the Free SHS policy.
“When you hear of us talking about free compulsory universal secondary education and the enactment of an act to guide and protect free secondary education, we are talking about ensuring that no child has a choice to say, ‘I will not go to secondary school.’
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum
“Cabinet has approved the proposal to enact the law that will ensure free and compulsory universal secondary education,” he stressed.
The Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe also highlighted the Free SHS policy as a transformative initiative that has enrolled 1.4 million students since its inception in 2017.
“Before the introduction of free secondary school education, a little over eight hundred thousand students were enrolled in senior high schools, today, it is 1.4 million plus. This is a great accomplishment.”
Background
Last month, the Majority in Parliament announced that government is ready to introduce a Free Senior High School bill.
This legislation aims to make the free SHS policy binding on successive governments.
The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, announced this at a press briefing ahead of Parliament’s resumption from break on Tuesday, June 11, 2024
He indicated that a finalised bill is ready for presentation by the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum.
According to him, the move is to prevent any government from attempting to abort the policy.
The Majority Leader insisted that “If we consider it [Free SHS bill] as a House, what that means is that it becomes mandatory for governments to implement this.”
“Unless it is repealed, no government would have the right to say, I am not going to enforce Free SHS because now it is law, so if you fail, a citizen can apply to the court and the court can exact justice in that citizen’s favour,” he said.Source: Myjoyonline.com
Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar has fired salvoes at the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) over their claim of being the first to introduce the Free Senior High School (SHS) education.
The debate about who implemented the Free SHS policy has arisen following the promise by former President John Mahama that he will continue the policy despite previous statements by him to review it and claims by the NDC that the policy doesn’t belong to President Akufo-Addo arguing that they were rolling it out progressively under the Mahama regime.
Fatimatu Abubakar
Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show, the Minister deflated the NDC’s confidence that they contributed to Free SHS though it was implemented by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2017.
Fatimatu Abubakar noted that the free SHS is the sole brainchild of President Nana Akufo-Addo and that the NDC cannot partly or wholly claim ownership of the programme.
She recounted how the President has ensured that every parent and guardian can freely send their wards to school without bearing any financial burdens with regard to payment of tuition fees and meeting other financial requirements.
“When it comes to talks about education, the NDC cannot compare themselves to us. The evidence is clear. From scratch, from basic to University, the most investment in education has been done by this administration,” she told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
On Monday, 29th July 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissioned the Phase II expansion project of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), highlighting the significance of this development for Ghana’s healthcare sector.
Reflecting on the project’s journey, President Akufo-Addo recalled the sod-cutting ceremony for Phase II on September 10, 2021. He acknowledged the need for further infrastructural development at UHAS to fulfill its mandate effectively. Under his directive, the Ministers for Education and Finance, in collaboration with UHAS management and the then Vice Chancellor Professor John Owusu Gyapong, secured $60 million in funding from the Chinese Government.
Some scenes from the ceremony
The President expressed gratitude to the President, Government, and People of the People’s Republic of China for their support and the strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. He also acknowledged the efforts of the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Lu Kun, and his predecessor, the late Ambassador Her Excellency Sun Bahong. The contribution of the contractors, Nantong Sijian Construction Group, and Ghana’s former Ambassador to China, Ambassador Edward Boateng, was also recognized.
The completion of Phase II will significantly enhance UHAS’s capacity to train more health professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other allied health practitioners. This expansion is essential to address the growing healthcare needs of Ghana’s population and the demand for a skilled workforce. With additional facilities and resources, UHAS will be better positioned to offer comprehensive education and practical training, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the healthcare sector’s challenges.
Moreover, the new facilities will support cutting-edge research and innovation, allowing scientists and researchers to explore new advancements in medicine and healthcare delivery. This progress is crucial for developing locally relevant solutions to health challenges and establishing Ghana as a leader in health research in Africa.
To mark this special occasion, President Akufo-Addo announced a personal donation of ten desktop computers and ten laptops to UHAS. These devices will aid the administration and enhance the university’s capacity to provide quality education and services.
President Akufo-Addo also took the opportunity to express his profound gratitude to the outgoing Chairperson of the University Council, the esteemed former Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Jones Victor Mawulorm Dotse, for his exemplary leadership and contributions over the past six years. He wished Mr. Dotse God’s blessings and success in his future endeavors.
The commissioning of the Phase II expansion project marks a significant milestone in UHAS’s journey towards becoming a premier institution for health education and research in Ghana and beyond.
The Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, will provide an update on the State of Education in the country at the Accra International Conference Centre on Tuesday morning.
The event, which is expected to attract all stakeholders in the education sector, would showcase the significant progress made in the education sector since Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo assumed office as the president of the Republic of Ghana.
Among the major issues he will speak on are Nana Akufo Addo’s flagship Free Senior High School policy, new bills and policies, the physical transformation of schools throughout the country, and curriculum improvement, including the Standard-Based Curriculum, Secondary Curriculum, and STEM Curriculum, among others.
Evidence-Based Communication
As typical of him, the Minister is expected to support his presentation with pictures, short videos, and charts that will ignite national discussions on what the government has done and what is being done to train 21st-century graduates for the country.
Again, it would give all the stakeholders first-hand information on the various innovations, interventions, policies, and initiatives that have been introduced under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo
Background
Education development has remained a major priority of the government since it came to power in 2017.
It is based on this that the government keeps voting huge budgets to fund education to ensure that all Ghanaian children of school age, irrespective of location, ethnic background, religion, and financial status of parents, among other things, have access to quality, relevant, and equitable education from kindergarten to Senior High School.
The training of the right manpower remains a critical tool for the transformation of every economy.
The Nana Akufo-Addo-led government, through the Education Ministry and its Agencies, has introduced several policies since 2017, which have changed the state of education in the country, making Ghana the first port of call when it comes to education development in Africa.
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The Gyinyase campus of Kumasi High School (KUHIS), one of the most recognisable Senior High Secondary Schools in Ghana 🇬🇭 became the center of attraction over the weekend.
The school climaxed its 60th Anniversary celebrations with a grand durbar on Saturday with many dignitaries including the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Deputy Majority Leader and MP for Asokwa, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Asokwa Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Akwannuasah Gyimah as well as the Bantamahene, Baffour Owusu Amankwatia and many others participating.
Starting the program with a splendid cadet display interspersed with cultural displays and melodious choir songs to welcome guests including old students, affiliated partners and visitors as well as other invited personalities.
Planning Committee Chairman:
Chairman of the 60th Anniversary Planning Committee, Abrante3 Rev Peter Owusu Mensah welcoming guets and participants said it was heartwarming to see that the 60th anniversary was ending after a year long planning.
“I note with happiness how far we have come to this day and to see all of us gathered here to climax the 60th anniversary in such a grand style speak volumes of the work the planning committee put in achieving this feat”, Abrante3 Owusu Mensah stated.
He commended all the planning commitee members for their commitment as well as all stakeholders including the government and its officials to ensuring projects earmarked before the anniversary got off to a good start.
Education Minister:
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, an old student and Minister for Education commended the organizers for pulling off a great program and showing determination to build a sports complex for Kumasi hIgh School.
The Minister announced that the government through the GETFUND Secretariat would commit funds to complete the sports complex it has earmarked as a monument for being 60 years old.
He noted that work would soon begin on the project since the drawings and architectural designs had been made ready.
“Kumasi High School deserves the best of everything since the school’s academic performance shows for same and for us in government we will do our part to resource and make Secondary School Education conform to modern standards across the world”, the Minister stated.
Asokwa MP:
Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei thanked the authorities at Kumasi High School and its stakeholders for ensuring the school maintained high academic standards.
She promised to resource the school with 40 computers to ensure ICT courses are carried out with ease.
Dr.Osei Yaw Adutwum in a group photograph
Chairman:
Dr Kwame Adom Frimpong, immediate past Chairman for the Public Interest and Accountability Commission (PIAC), who chaired the event paid glowing tribute to all stakeholders for ensuring Kumasi High School chalked academic successes.
He urged the school to keep its focus in training and educating students to become the best in their fields after Senior High School.
Bantamahene:
Baffuor Owusu Amankwatia, Bantamahene who represented the Asantehene, commended KUHIS for shining so bright with its academic prowess.
He, however,charged the school authorities to lessen the stress on the students by taking them through therapies that could make them balanced persons while in school.
Headmaster:
Headmaster of KUHIS, Mr Benjamin Tawiah Twum thanked the school’s management, Board of Directors and the Parent Association (P.A) as well as the Old Students for showing commitment to seeing optimum academic performances.
He stated that the school had been having higher grades in all courses offered at the school with the least in the last 4 years being 85% pass rates.
“I am excited to report that Kumasi High for the past four years has beeen recording high grades in the WASSCE with 85% pass rates and it is supported by sterling performances in other educational competitions and as i speak Kumasi High is the best in debates in Ashanti, winning the Luv fm High School Debates in two successive occasions in 2023 and 2024 and to make it more glorious KUHIS is the current regional champions in the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) competition.
NUGS President:
Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, the President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and a former student, in an interview commended Kumasi High School for rising beyond the odds that stood against it many years ago.
He urged the authorities to strive to give the best education to the students currently on campus.
Anniversary highlight:
Launching the anniversary magazine that has everything KUHIS including personalities, academic laurels and sporting achievements, Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu challenged the school to maintain the high standards it has set for itself.
The school headmaster, the MCE for Asokwa, the Chairman of the anniversary planning committee and the chairman for the event as well as the MP for Asokwa and some old students later cut a cake 🎂 to signal the climax of the 60th Anniversary celebrations.By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi
Kumasi High School (KUHIS), one of the famous senior high schools in Ghana 🇬🇭 would be exactly 60 years on Saturday.
The Gyinyase based school in the Asokwa Municipality would climax the celebration of this milestone with a grand durbar where the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to be in attendance.
Similarly, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was also expected to be in attendance but for his journey to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.
The School, nonetheless, is expecting a high powered delegation from the Manhyia Palace on its campus on Saturday.
Other distinguished personalities expected to make a grand entry is the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, a former student of Kumasi High and Dr Kwame Adom Frimpong, the immediate past Chairman for the Public Interest and Accountability Commission (PIAC), Asokwa MCE, Akwannuasah Gyimah, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, MP for Asokwa as well as other equally accomplished Mmerante3 (Old Boys) and current students.
The school will also play host to all its affiliates including old and current students old from Kumasi Girls who are spread across the world but are currently present in Ghana 🇬🇭 for the anniversary.
Expectations:
Speaking to the 60th Anniversary Planning Committee Chairman, Rev Peter Owusu Mensah said the committee is expecting a grand ceremony on Saturday.
He noted that plans towards the anniversary had been elaborate and time consuming but said it was worthwhile.
However, he was hopeful of a smooth ceremony where the old boys together with current students and the school authorities would combine energies to pull off an exciting climax of all the activties over the weekend.
“We start with a candle light procession on Friday and the grand durbar follows on Saturday morning at 8:30am and in the evening a dinner has been planned to welcome all old students and others who may want to be part. We climax the anniversay celebrations on Sunday with a Thanksgiving Services at the School’s Assembly Hall, same venue for the grand durbar”, the Planning Committee Chair explained.
History:
Kumasi High School was the first established senior secondary school in the Asokwa Municipality.
Previously, the school offered “O” and “A” level as well as 6th Form education until 1996 when same was phased out by the former President, Jerry John Rawlings working under the NDC government.
Formerly called Kwame Nkrumah Secondary School and operating as a private entity by the late S.K Amoah at a facility in Kwadaso in 1964, the school was later renamed Kumasi High School soon after the overthrow of the Nation’s Founder in 1966.
Academic Records:
Kumasi High School is currently a grade A School, attaining this status through a detemined and consistent academic performance and exploits.
Known for its high level proficiencies in the General Science course, Business and General Arts, the school currently prides itself as the best in Academic debates in the Ashanti region having won back to back (2023, 2024) accolades in the Luv FM High School Debate Competitions.
The school recently honoured its authorities and the old boys Association popularly called Mmerante3 when it won the Ashanti Regional level of the National Science and Maths quiz (NSMQ) by putting aside a challenge mounted by two rival schools, Prempeh College and Opoku Ware School. Source:Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi
A total of 895,685 primary school pupils have participated in the 2024 edition of the National Standardized Test across the country.
Out of the number 542,418 of them are in primary four while the remaining 353,267 are in primary six.
Some scenes from the event
The NST which started in 2021 tests the pupils in literacy and numeracy to ascertain their level of understanding and identify their specific weaknesses for the necessary remedial measures and interventions lessons put in place to rectify such a challenge.
Addressing the media in Accra on Tuesday, the Deputy Minister for Education, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, explained that the test was not to identify which school is the best but rather to gather data on the performance of primary school pupils in literacy and numeracy.
He stated that the data collected after the NST helps in determining which schools, districts and regions need support most so that the teachers are offered the requisite training to help improve their performances.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour disclosed this to the media after monitoring the ongoing NST centre at the Flagstar House Basic School in Accra on Tuesday.
He recounted the government’s efforts to improve learning outcomes in schools across the country through the introduction of various interventions.
Commending teachers
The Deputy Minister commended teachers in the country for their dedication and commitment towards improving the development of education in the country.
Again, he was full of praise to all stakeholders who play various roles to complement the government’s drive towards the transformation of the nation’s economy through education development.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour, said, “In 2015 when the pupils were tested in Early Grade in Basic Two learners across the country, only two per cent of our pupils were able to read at that grade level”.
“It is based on this that the Education Ministry through the instrumentality of the Education Minister, Dr Adutwum introduced various interventions such as play-based pedagogies among early child learners and Phonics-based approaches leading to improved learning outcomes”,he added.
The Deputy Minister revealed that those efforts paid off in 2023 as it recorded a 38 per cent improvement in primary two reading skills while the primary four also increased to 54 per cent in proficiency.
Resource provision
He was upbeat that with the numerous interventions coupled with the provision of adequate teaching and learning resources, this year’s results might increase as a lot of work was being done to attain at least 90 per cent proficiency among all pupils across the country soon.
The Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, Mr Stephen Abamfo, assured the Minister of the prudent measures that had been put in place towards preparing the pupils for the examination.
He announced that a total of 54,746 pupils from the Greater Accra region were participating in the test in all the 29 Municipal, Metropolitan and District Assemblies in the region.
