Education Minister pledges support for out-of-school children
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reintegrating vulnerable out-of-school children into society through skills training and inclusive education.
Speaking at the Father Campbell Foundation in Weija, one of the key implementing centres under the Ghana Education Outcomes Project (GEOP), Mr Iddrisu assured learners that the Ministry of Education would continue to support them beyond training.
Father Campbell Foundation
The Father Campbell Foundation, led by Rev. Fr Andrew Campbell, is a key implementing partner under GEOP.
The Foundation currently caters for 170 out-of-school youth, many of whom have lived on the streets.
The learners undergo a six-to nine-month accelerated programme in literacy and numeracy, followed by certified, competency-based training in skills aligned with their interests, supporting them to build sustainable livelihoods.
With support from trained social workers, educators and healthcare professionals, the Father Campbell Foundation provides holistic care that meets the educational, emotional and social needs of its learners.
“We will not abandon you. Through apprenticeship and vocational training, the ministry will support you to become independent and contribute meaningfully to society,” he told the learners.
The minister pledged to provide the necessary infrastructure to expand the programme’s intake from 170 to 1,000 children.
“Father Campbell’s selfless work is restoring dignity and giving hope to children society once ignored. These are the kinds of interventions that demonstrate the power of compassion combined with structure. As a ministry, we are committed to supporting this vision,” Mr Iddrisu added.
He praised Rev. Fr Campbell and his team for their unwavering dedication to transforming the lives of street-connected children through education, care and shelter.
GEOP
Mr Iddrisu said GEOP, supported by the World Bank and other development partners, was a results-based education initiative aimed at reintegrating out-of-school youth aged 15 to 18 into productive pathways.
He said the initiative was part of GEOP's broader objective to improve education outcomes in Ghana, particularly for out-of-school children.
“By providing vulnerable out-of-school street children with access to education and skills training, GEOP is empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for themselves,” Mr Iddrisu explained.
Some of the learners shared emotional stories of their experiences living on the streets and expressed gratitude for the opportunities, care and sense of purpose the Foundation has given them.
The Ministry of Education reiterated its plan to scale up similar interventions across the country to ensure that vulnerable children, regardless of their background, have access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
