"Save Ghana Movement Urges Implementation of Effective Policies to Revamp Basic Education"

The Save Ghana Movement, a non-governmental organization based in Accra, has raised serious concerns about the deteriorating state of basic education in Ghana, attributing its decline to inadequate policies and the failure of authorities to address these pressing issues. The Movement emphasizes that the neglect of basic schools, especially in rural areas, has become a significant problem, with political leaders failing to acknowledge these challenges while continuing to send their own children to schools abroad.

In a recent phone interview, Mr. Robert Andzie Ansah, the leader of the Save Ghana Movement, expressed his frustration with the persistent neglect of basic schools by politicians. He argued that this neglect is detrimental to the future of Ghana, as today’s youth, who will eventually become the country’s leaders, are being deprived of quality foundational education. Since 1992, Ansah pointed out, successive governments have focused primarily on improving secondary and tertiary education, often at the expense of strengthening basic education, which is the foundation for all further learning.

The term “basic” education, as Ansah pointed out, signifies its importance, while “secondary” education is often seen as less urgent. However, the current educational infrastructure in Ghana does not reflect this reality. Basic schools, particularly in rural regions, often lack essential resources such as libraries, science laboratories, and sufficient seating. Some schools even have to conduct lessons under trees or in makeshift shelters due to the lack of proper buildings. Even in cases where schools have the necessary facilities, financial constraints often make it difficult to maintain them, leading to a cycle of neglect and deterioration.

Ansah highlighted that the disparity between basic schools and secondary or tertiary institutions is alarming. While secondary and tertiary institutions may be well-equipped with modern facilities, basic schools, where critical skills like reading and writing are taught, continue to operate in substandard conditions. This lack of investment in the early stages of education hampers the development of young minds and limits their potential, which is a serious concern for the future of the country.

The Save Ghana Movement argues that focusing more on secondary and tertiary education over basic schooling is both shortsighted and damaging. This approach not only neglects the needs of young children but also weakens the foundation of the nation’s education system. As political leaders tend to focus on policies that will deliver immediate electoral benefits, basic education, which primarily serves children under the voting age, often gets sidelined. This dynamic leads to a situation where the needs of the younger generation are overlooked, even though they are the ones who will shape the future of the country.

Moreover, the Movement raised concerns about the growing preference for private schools over government-funded schools, despite the fact that many private institutions employ unqualified teachers. This trend undermines the efforts of well-trained educators working in public schools, contributing further to the weakening of the nation’s education system. Ansah emphasized that the core issue lies in the collective failure to recognize the crucial role of basic education in shaping the future of Ghana.

Teachers in basic education, Ansah noted, often focus more on salary increases than on the critical need for resources to properly nurture young talent. This situation underscores the lack of attention paid to the systemic issues affecting education at the primary and junior high school levels. The Movement argues that the government’s prioritization of secondary and tertiary education is politically motivated. Since students in basic schools are generally too young to vote, politicians tend to ignore their needs, focusing instead on sectors that will have more immediate, visible impacts on their political fortunes.

The Save Ghana Movement asserts that the ongoing neglect of basic education is a grave injustice to future generations. It calls on the current administration to take responsibility and address the shortcomings in the education system, ensuring that reforms are implemented to improve the state of basic education across the country. Only by investing in foundational education can Ghana hope to nurture the leaders of tomorrow and build a strong, prosperous future.