School For Life @ 20: Achievements And Way Forward

Since its establishment in 1995, springing from cooperation on rural community development between the Northern Region based civil society organisation, Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), and a Danish NGO, Ghana Friendship Groups in Denmark (GV), School for Life has developed a model for complementary basic education (CBE), which has improved access to quality education at primary level.  

Initially, this model was implemented solely with DANIDA support. The intention was to give out of school children beyond school starting age an opportunity to attain basic literacy and numeracy in their mother tongue, combined with some basic skills and knowledge that is relevant to their families and communities. 

Following an impact assessment conducted in 2007, which showed significant impact at individual, family and community level, SfL expanded its scope through cooperation with major development partners in education such as USAID in 2004 (for components of the Education Quality for All - EQUALL project), DFID in 2008 (the Literacy for Life Change Project), UNICEF, and Innovations for Poverty Action and Community Based Organisations supported by IBIS and DFID again in 2012 under the Ghana CBE Programme.  

Through the various collaborations, SfL has provided CBE to over 200,000 children with over 85% integrating and continuing their education in the formal schools. So ahead of SfL’s 20^th Anniversary ceremony scheduled to take place on October 21, 2015 in Tamale, Savannah News (SN) caught up with Abdul-Mumin Ahmed, Communications/Advocacy Officer of SfL for a one-on-one interview. Below are excerpts of the interview paraphrased for easy understanding. 

SN: What necessitated the School for Life Programme? 

Abdul-Mumin (AM): Following a seminar in 1989, that trained adults about farming and other activities which was meant to empower people to break the vicious cycle of poverty, it was also realized that children of school going age were not in school. This was so because, the children had to support their parents in farming activities, taking care of cattle, among other things. In trying to get these children to school, it was thought that taking them immediately to the formal school will mean that their parents will no longer get the support of the children in their work and may object to it. There was therefore the need for an innovative intervention that will provide education to the children while ensuring their availability to support the parents in farming and other activities. A concept paper entitled “the dilemma of education in the North” was written and the idea of a functional literacy class was explored which subsequently gave birth to School for Life. 

SN: How did School for Life start? 

AM: Following the birth of the idea, a working group made up of both Ghanaians and some partners from Denmark was set up within the GV-GDCA cooperation to scout for funding to start the programme. DANIDA was contacted for support on this. But since there was no immediate fund available to pursue the Programme, it was suggested that funds could be drawn from the sale of Christmas calendars in Denmark. This formed the first support for start of the SfL programme. Subsequently, DANIDA acquired funds and continued supporting the programme, ever since. 

SN: Why is the celebration of 20 years important to SfL? 

AM: Having been in the provision of this service to many deprived communities in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions for 20 years, SfL celebrates the 20^th Anniversary in recognition of the singularly unique contribution it has made in the development of the CBE module and the thousands of students who have had the opportunity of getting education. Many of these students are now in tertiary institutions. But for the SfL CBE intervention, most of these people stood the risk of missing out on education. Beyond this recognition, the Anniversary celebration offers SfL and its partners the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of SfL and what can be done to ensure Governments commitment in respect of budgetary allocation to the implementation of the recently approved CBE Policy. 

SN: What are the outstanding achievements that School for Life is proud of? 

AM: In the last 20 years, SfL has provided access to education to 200,000 out-of-school children through CBE of which 85 percent continued their education in the formal schools. 247 facilitators have also been supported to further their studies in tertiary institutions and 3, 651 facilitators trained on the SfL methodology and at the same time being given a livelihood. 

Besides what I have already mentioned, SfL has translated learning materials into 14 Ghanaian languages (Dagbani, Likpakpaaln, Ncaam, Anufo, Ngbanyato, Dagaare, Gurene, Kasem, Kusaal, Birfo, Mampruli, Sissali, Ewe and Asante-twi), which now serves the basis for the nation-wide CBE implementation by government in partnership with Civil Society Organisations. 

We (SfL) have also provided quality assurance and capacity building support to other programmes and organisations, including: Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), IBIS-Ghana, CBE MU, APDO, District Directorate of Education for KEEA District, CBE Alliance members, among others. Also, 117 pavilions have been constructed in SfL project communities to serve as classrooms which were later upgraded into formal schools in those communities; 51 teachers’ quarters built in SfL operational districts; over 200 sets of classroom furniture provided to CBE learning centers; and over 51 schools established as a result of SfL’s collaborative advocacy work with some communities in Northern Ghana. 

SfL has also contributed in accelerating Ghana’s progress on MDG2 and Global Goal on Education for All (UNESCO, 2014:EFA Global Monitoring Report, 2013/2014 p.283) as well as ongoing collaboration with Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service on complementary education systems study, stakeholder review sessions on study report and sessions for review of the draft CBE Policy in Ghana.

SN: Celebrating 20 years of existence, where does SfL see itself in the next 5-10 years?

AM: SfL has developed a strategic plan spanning between 2013-2018, now focusing more on advocacy and networking. So, SfL sees itself as an organization more focused on networking and advocacy on contemporary and emerging educational issues and ensuring that Government budgets adequately for the running of the Ghana CBE Programme. SfL will also continue to work to maintain quality in the replication of its model by other organisations. It will also strengthen its Learning and Development Centre to keep serving as knowledge and intellect base for promoting quality education and modern and sophisticated pedagogies. In this connection, SfL will continue to run the Teacher Exchange Programme that encourages cross-fertilisation in pedagogical approaches between Ghana and Denmark. For three years running, six personnel from GES have been sent to Denmark to learn about other relevant approaches in pedagogy applied in the developed settings.  

SN: What message do you have for the Ghanaian public?

AM: Universal education for all children is a shared responsibility. Every Ghanaian should take interest in the Ghana CBE Programme and support enrollment of out-of-school children into school, so that we can together work towards achieving universal education for all. Sfl will also like to encourage the Government to make budgetary allocation, starting with the 2016 budget, for CBE nation-wide implementation.

Report Cites Parents in Savelugu-Nanton As Chief Perpetrators of Child Abuse

Human beings are supposed to be smarter and wiser than animals, because they are created in the image and likeness of God. But when the reverse appears to be true, it becomes worrisome and defeats the purpose of creation.

For instance, if animals take care of their young ones or offspring, why would humans created in the image and likeness of God, neglect or refuse to take care of their children?

It is unfortunate, but that is the current situation in the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality in the Northern Region of Ghana, where a research by local charity organisation Savana Signatures (SavSign) –reveals that biological parents are the main perpetrators of child right abuses and violations.

Other lead perpetrators of child rights abuse and violations, according to the report of the research made available to Savannahnews, included teachers, stepmothers and aunties of children.

Forms of child abuses cited by the report included denying children formal education, forcing children to marry early or against their will, teachers impregnating female pupils, subjecting children to corporal punishment, child neglect and child trafficking among others. “These constituted the most dangerous and damaging forms of child abuses”, Eric Kavaarpuo, lead researcher said this recently when he presented the research report at a validation workshop in Savelugu.

SavSign initiated the Integration of ICTs in Education Project I (IIEP I) in 2011 with the aim of enhancing school administration and teaching and learning in basic schools. This entailed building the capacity of school administrators and teachers to effectively use ICTs to improve the quality of learning outcomes. 

In a second phase of the project, IIEP II –a new objective was introduced with the focus of empowering basic school children within the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality to assert their right to basic services and enjoy protection from all forms of abuse. 

This child rights survey commissioned by SavSign aimed to collect information on the state of child rights in the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality as basis for designing appropriate interventions. The survey targeted Upper Primary School and Junior High School children aged between 10-15 years. 

According to Mr. Kavaarpuo, the survey sampled 366 children from a population of 3,731. “The sampling procedure entailed a random sample of 36 children per school for one-on-one interviews whilst another set of children participated in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) of separate boys and girls”, h explained. 

Teachers and parents, he noted, were targeted with semi-structured questionnaire and FGDs respectively. “Identified state institutions including the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Ghana Police Service were also contacted with semi-structured questionnaire”, he added.

Mr. Kavaarpuo however indicated that the overall agenda of pursuing child rights issues and violations at the district level must logically start with a stakeholder mapping. He urged traditional authorities, the Municipal Assembly, the Ghana Education Service, Department of Social Welfare, CHRAJ, NCCE and NGOs to lead the charge against child rights abuse and violations.

Meanwhile, participants at the workshop also appealed to government and NGOs to sensitise parents, traditional authorities, teachers and children in basic and second cycle schools on the basic rights of children.

They further called for the formation of community vigilante groups to ensure children in the municipality sleep early at night. This is because sleeping late at night contributes a child abuse and poor performance in school.

Allocate More Resources Towards Capacity Building Of Teachers –RISE Ghana Advocates

Awal Ahmed

Bolgatanga based non-governmental organisation, RISE-Ghana– has urged government, the private sector and donors to increase the allocation of resources towards building the capacity of teachers to enable them deliver effectively and efficiently.

According to RISE-Ghana, taking such a step would enable teachers to deliver on their mandate and contribute to prevent the alarming incidence of early child or forced marriage in the country.

A press release issued to the media including Savannahnews on the occasion of World Teachers Day, RISE-Ghana saluted all teachers for the hard work, patience and affection they give to children in schools.

“We appreciate the time they (teachers) spend to build up a strong and sustainable society in our country”, Project Manager of RISE Ghana Awal Ahmed indicated, but chastised teachers who take undue advantage of the vulnerability of children under their care and abuse them sexually.

“In recent times, we have been saddened by news of some teachers abusing young girls in rural areas and calling it “bush allowance”. These few deviants must be made to face the full rigors of the law so as to deter others from engaging in similar acts”, he charged.

Ghana, according to the non-governmental organisation, has one of the highest childhood marriage prevalence in the world, with 25 percent of girls marrying before age 18. The Upper East Region sadly has the highest prevalence rate of 50 percent.

Mr. Ahmed observed that, there was a clear link between education, poverty and child marriage, noting that the prevalence rate was highest among girls who lived in rural areas, had a low educational level and came from low income households. “Girls in rural areas are three times more likely to be married before they are 18 years old than girls who live in urban areas”, he emphasised.

He called for more responsiveness and accountability from all stakeholders to empower teachers and to build sustainable societies by giving girls and teachers the needed education to end early child or forced marriage.

Meanwhile, On October 5, 1966, the Special Intergovernmental Conference on the Status of Teachers in Paris, France, was closed and the "Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers" was signed by representatives of UNESCO and International Labour Organization. On October 12, 1997, the 29th session of UNESCO's General Conference was opened. During this conference, on November 11, 1997, the "Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel" was adopted.

On October 5, 1994, the first World Teachers' Day was held. This event has been organized on the same date each year since then. 

The United Nations' (UN) World Teachers' Day celebrates the role teachers play in providing quality education at all levels. This enables children and adults of all ages to learn to take part in and contribute to their local community and global society.

OXFAM Ghana Tackles Climate Change Issues In Northern Ghana

OXFAM Ghana, an international charity organisation– is implementing a three-year Climate-Resilient Agricultural and Food Systems (CRAFS) project in Northern Ghana, targeting a total of 4,500 farm households who are living in poor conditions.

CRAFS is a three-year project (April 2015 – March 2018) and it is being implemented in four (4) districts in Northern Ghana. The districts include East Mamprusi (Northern Region), Garu-Tempane (Upper East Region), Nandom and Daffiama-Bussie-Issah (Upper West Region) covering a total of 20 communities. 

“The goal of the project is to contribute to the fight against poverty and the negative effects of climate change, by enhancing the livelihood security and capacity for community-based adaptation measures for the most vulnerable in Northern Ghana”, Mohammed Anwar-Sadat Adam, Programmes and Campaigns Manager at OXFAM Ghana said this at an orientation and training workshop in Tamale.  

The training and orientation workshop which was organized by OXFAM Ghana in collaboration with the Media Advocates for Sustainable Environment (MASE-Ghana), brought together over 30 media practitioners, journalists and other civil society organizations.

Advocacy Officer with OXFAM Ghana Mrs. Lilian Mwintome Kuutiero explained that, the workshop sought to create awareness of the CRAFS project and its objectives, and to enhance media practitioners understanding of climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

 

She said it was also intended to build the communication and reporting skills of participants on climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction, and to create an opportunity for OXFAM to work with a network of media practitioners in communicating communities’ experiences.

Mr. Adam enumerated a number of projects being implemented by OXFAM Ghana in the regions and districts targeted at addressing climate change effects on the livelihoods of farmers. He envisaged that, by March 2018, 3,150 women of the total of 4,500 beneficiaries would have understood the likely impact of climate change on their lives and livelihoods.  

Cross section of participants at workshop

Mr. Adam also projected that, by the end of the project, the 4,500 small-scale farmers in all 20 beneficiary communities would have had access to improved farming methods and demonstrating climate sensitive models of livelihoods which are economically viable and environmentally friendly.

Furthermore, about 100 community savings and safety net initiatives he believed would have been strengthened, whereas 4,500 women and men small-scale farmers being able to secure and improve the fast-depleting natural resource base which their livelihoods depended on.

Till date, OXFAM Ghana has spent about 200,000 British Pound Sterling on the CRAFS project. Whereas £12,000 is being spent to support 100 people to establish tree nurseries and train 100 people to construct energy-efficient stoves, £27,400 is also spent to support people to diversify their livelihoods through trainings, create community saving groups, and enable farmers to make compost and use water resources during the dry season in a sustainable manner.

Moreover, £62,100 is being spent to raise community awareness on the effects of climate change through mass public communication, establish two Climate Information Centres, train 100 farmers in climate sensitive techniques, and create field schools in the four beneficiary districts.

Mrs. Kuutiero further explained that series of meetings have also been held with 20 communities and local authorities in the four districts to enable local people to identify key challenges they face and support them to work with the authorities to address these challenges.

According to her, the organisation has also raised community awareness on climate change and how community people could cope with erratic weather conditions. “We have disseminated 10,000 leaflets, working with five radio stations, advertising on 45 billboards, running clubs in 25 schools and training 30 journalists to report on the issues”, she noted.

Oxfam Ghana is an international confederation of 19 organisations networked in over 90 countries with the common aim of building a future free from the injustices of poverty. Since 1986, Oxfam has invested in water and sanitation, education, agriculture and other sectors in Ghana, especially Northern Ghana.