Education Minister Highlights Regional Disparities and Advocates Equity in Education
The Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has commended the success of Ghana’s Free Secondary Education policy while raising concerns about persistent regional disparities in educational access.
Speaking at the National Tertiary Education Conference at the University of Ghana, Dr. Adutwum emphasized the need for targeted interventions to address these inequities.
Highlighting a remarkable 95% transition rate from junior high to senior high school in the Northern Region last year, the Minister contrasted this with the Volta Region, where the rate was only 76%. He cautioned that such disparities, if left unaddressed, could necessitate affirmative action to ensure equitable access to education.
“If we do not address equity at the pre-university level, achieving an equitable tertiary education environment will remain challenging,” he remarked.
Free Secondary Education Bill Under Review
A key focus of the conference was the Free Secondary Education Bill, which is currently under parliamentary review. Dr. Adutwum described the bill as a crucial step toward universal secondary education in Ghana, aimed at expanding access and fostering equity across all regions.
“The bill underscores our commitment to free, universal secondary education as a means of creating a level playing field for all Ghanaian students,” he noted.
Role of Tertiary Education in National Development
The Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, Prof. Abdullai Ahmed Jinapor, highlighted the transformative role of tertiary education in advancing Ghana’s development goals.
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He emphasized the importance of aligning higher education with the nation’s priorities and building strategic partnerships to enhance the system’s effectiveness.
“This conference is more than just intellectual discussion. It’s a platform for building strategic partnerships that will have lasting impacts on our educational system,” Prof. Jinapor said.
Dr. Adutwum reinforced this by referencing World Bank research on the critical role of higher education in fostering human capital growth, innovation, and social mobility—factors essential for global competitiveness.
Call for Collaborative Efforts
The conference concluded with a call for stakeholders—including academia, government, and industry—to collaborate on policies that promote inclusivity, innovation, and competitiveness in education.
With Ghana striving to achieve equitable access to education at all levels, the discussions at the conference underscored the importance of systemic reforms to bridge regional disparities and support the country’s broader development objectives.
As the Free Secondary Education Bill progresses, stakeholders are optimistic that its eventual implementation will mark a significant step toward achieving an inclusive and equitable education system in Ghana.
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