GBC launches programme on public, private schools
The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has launched a project to increase public awareness of the disparity between the physical learning environment of public and private schools in the country.
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The project would involve broadcast and studio discussions of evidence-based field assessments and documentaries from four projects areas: Cape Coast Metropolis, Ashaiman, Obuasi and Ho municipalities.
Known as “Same curriculum, different opportunities,” the project is aimed at influencing the government and its agencies to be responsive in improving infrastructure development in basic schools to enhance the quality of teaching and learning.
The project is funded by STAR-Ghana through its Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Responsiveness.
Project overview
At a ceremony to launch the project in Accra last Thursday, the Director General of GBC, Maj. Albert Don-Chebe (Retd), in a speech read on his behalf said the project formed part of the initiatives of the GBC to promote issue-based advocacy on public issues.
He said the project sought to encourage public contributions towards improving the physical learning environments of community public schools to bring them to a level comparable to their private counterparts.
Touching on some of the findings of the field assessment, the Coordinator of the project, Madam Rebecca Ekpe, said observation from the project so far indicated that response by both supply and demand of governance to improving quality basic education could be interpreted as weak.
Other findings, she said, included the lack of consistent and sustained media reportage on quality education, low parental support for pupils in public schools and poor physical infrastructure, among many others.
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She added that the overall poor physical learning environment affected children’s access to schools, retention and the quality of teaching and learning, as well as the performance of pupils in school.
In a speech read on her behalf, the Minister of Education, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, said the provision of quality education to children was very important, since they would be the future human capital.
She said the vision of the future of the nation could be achieved if all stakeholders were very proactive in contributing towards the provision of infrastructure, as well as teaching and learning materials.
She commended GBC and STAR-Ghana for the initiative to promote issue based advocacies.
STAR-Ghana
The Programme Manager at STAR-Ghana, Mr Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, said the collaboration between GBC and STAR-Ghana was to ensure that children in Ghana, irrespective of the backgrounds, would have access to quality education and opportunities to fulfill their potential in life.
He challenged the GBC to use the evidence from the project to demand accountability and responsiveness from relevant institutions.
He noted that STAR-Ghana had supported more than 35 media organisations to implement various projects aimed at achieving sustainable and equitable national development.
An educationist, Mr K.B. Asante, said parents needed to take responsibility for their children by providing for their educational needs.