The Role of the Ghana Education Service in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
The Ghana Education Service (GES) is a vital player in the country’s quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a set of 17 global goals set by the United Nations to be achieved by 2030. The goals are aimed at eradicating poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all. Education is recognized as the bedrock of sustainable development as it has the potential to transform societies. In this article, we’ll examine the key role played by the Ghana Education Service in achieving the SDGs.
Universal Access to Education
The GES has the mandate of providing access to quality education to all children in Ghana. This is aligned with the SDG 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The Ghana Education Service has put in place policies and strategies to ensure access to education for all, irrespective of gender, race, social status or ability.
The GES has implemented initiatives such as the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, the School Feeding Program, and the Capitation Grant to improve access to education. The Free SHS policy aims to remove the financial barriers that prevent many children from accessing secondary education. The School Feeding Program provides nutritious meals to pupils in deprived areas to reduce absenteeism. The Capitation Grant provides financial support to schools to cater to the needs of pupils.
Quality Education
The GES has also been working to ensure that the education provided is of high quality. This is in line with the SDG 4, which aims to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. To achieve this, the GES has developed a new curriculum that is competency-based and seeks to equip learners with the necessary skills to succeed in the 21st-century world.
The GES has been training teachers on the new curriculum to ensure that they are adequately equipped to deliver quality education. The GES has also been improving the quality of infrastructure in schools by building new schools, renovating old ones, and providing furniture and other learning materials.
Relevance to the Economy
The education provided by the GES aims to make learners productive members of society. This is aligned with the SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The GES has been working to ensure that the education provided is relevant to the needs of the economy.
To achieve this, the GES has been introducing vocational and technical education in secondary schools to equip learners with the necessary skills to take up jobs in the industry. The GES has also been collaborating with industry stakeholders to identify the skills needed in the workforce and to ensure that the education provided aligns with these needs.
Conclusion
The Ghana Education Service has an essential role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The GES has been working to ensure that all children in Ghana have access to quality education irrespective of their background. The GES has been training teachers, improving infrastructure, and introducing relevant programs to make the education provided by the GES of high quality. The GES has been working to ensure that the education provided is relevant to the needs of the economy, which is crucial in promoting sustainable development. The GES’s efforts are commendable in ensuring that Ghana achieves the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
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