By Jones Anlimah
The Volta Region has recorded a significant improvement in numeracy literacy performance at the basic primary level. Figures from the Regional Education Directorate indicate that the region scored 66.4% in the 2021/2022 academic year. This is a significant improvement over 2020/2021 figure of 28.7%.
This came to light at the 3rd Regional Educational Forum at Ho, in the Volta Region. The theme for the forum was “Improving the Learning Outcomes of Primary School Pupils in the Volta Region through Community Participation”.
In a bid to improve educational outcomes, especially at the basic level in the country the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, has instituted a number of interventions including the JICA COMPASS Project.
The Regional Education Forum falls under the operations of the JICA COMPASS Project in the Volta Region. The third edition of the forum provided a platform for participants to review progress of activities that were planned during the previous forum, to assess activities of stakeholders’ contributions towards improvement in education in the region and also to engage in discussions to shape educational activities for 2024 and establish follow-up plans to ensure successful implementation.
The theme for this year’s forum was “Improving the Learning Outcomes of Primary School Pupils in the Volta Region through Community Participation”. The theme seeks to emphasize the pivotal role that community participation plays in fostering a conducive learning environment for primary school children.
The Volta Regional Director of Education, Mr. Francis Agbamadi highlighted successful case studies from around the world where community involvement has led to tangible improvements in student performances. He commended JICA for interventions in the educational sector which continues to bring about positive changes in the region. “But for the interventions such as the formation of SMC Federations, the conduct of remedial lessons and many more introduced by the COMPASS Project, we would not have improved the performance of the Region in the areas of numeracy.”, he said.
He added “This signifies that the region is actually fulfilling the SDG goal 4 which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life long learning opportunities for all.”
The Volta Regional Coordinating Director, Mr Augustus Awity was hopeful participants will brainstorm on activities to develop innovative solutions that harness the power of local communities to address identified challenges faced in primary education in in the region.
The Project Formulation Advisor at the JICA Ghana Office, Okamoto Saki, said the project will come to an end in March 2024. She was hopeful that gains made during the implementation of the project at operational areas in the region will be sustained. ” In Akatsi South, they have devoted themselves to the project for five years since the pilot phase and now it is showing a remarkable improvement.” She noted
“What Akatsi South has told us is that any other District can follow suit if they keep working on the project activities.”, Okamoto Saki opined.
Discussions and key strategies that emerged from the forum are expected to have a lasting impact on the education sector in the region to pave the way for improved learning outcomes and a brighter future for the region and the country’s youth at large.
