Following independence in 1957, Ghana expanded its basic education, but by the mid-1970s the number of children attending primary school had fallen. Government spending on basic education as a percentage of GDP dropped. By the 1980s, school buildings were dilapidated, classrooms had few desks, and in several cases, a single textbook was shared by the whole class.
In the mid-1980s, the government embarked on an education reform program to restructure the system. The restructuring took place, but concerns remained regarding the poor quality of instruction, teacher absenteeism and poor school infrastructure. IDA has financed a number of education programs in Ghana. Of these, the Basic Education Sector Improvement Program supported the government’s policy of free, compulsory, universal basic education. The goals were improved access and learning outcomes, as well as better education system management.
Classroom construction and rehabilitation contributed to higher enrollments and better learning outcomes. The project financed 11 million textbooks which played an important role in improving the quality of instruction.
Highlights:
- From 1996 to 2001, absolute enrollment in junior secondary schools increased nearly by 130,000 pupils (from 738,057 to 865,636); gross enrollment rate increased 5.2 percentage points (from 58.7 percent to 63.9 percent); girls’ enrollment share increased 2.3 percentage points (from 43.1 percent to 45.4 percent).
- With increased teacher training and availability of textbooks, Criterion Referenced Test mean scores increased (from 1996 to end of project) in English from 33.0 to 36.9 and in math from 28.8 to 32.3.
- An Education Management Information System (EMIS) was established in 10 regions and 26 districts. It enabled the generation of annual school census data from 1997 to 2001, the production of key education indicators and of policy-relevant analysis, and the sensitization of education officials in the use of data for planning and decision-making.
- 2,300 classrooms were rehabilitated. 344 four-unit teacher accommodation blocks, 101 primary schools and 50 secondary schools were constructed.
- US$45 million in financing from 1996 to 2002.
- Project is just one of a dozen IDA investment and policy operations supporting long-term improvements of education in Ghana.
- IDA facilitated Ghana’s inclusion in the Fast Track Initiative of the Education for All initiative. Improvements in enrollment and outcomes were needed to qualify. EMIS also enabled the government to prepare a sound plan to achieve education for all.
- IDA helped enhance the government’s capacity for better donor coordination.
At the time of project implementation, the European Commission, the UK's Department for International Development and the US Agency for International Development were IDA's main partners. Other partners such as France, Japan, UNICEF and WFP have joined forces since then.
- The program built on previous Bank operations and laid the groundwork for subsequent operations.
- Continued support from development partners and follow-up investments in the education sector are likely to sustain progress.
- The government must contribute to these efforts by addressing issues of disparity among communities, along with providing support to EMIS. Specifically, continued skills enhancement for EMIS staff and further development of the system are needed.
RSS