Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama during the weekend had a stakeholder engagement with representatives of Teacher Unions for a dialogue on Ghana’s education sector.
The meeting, which was held at the head office of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) in Accra, was aimed at soliciting the views of the unions in finalizing the manifesto for the NDC ahead of the 2024 general elections.
During the discussion, Mr. Mahama outlined that the key areas to be looked at included infrastructural development, the welfare of teachers, matters of capitation grant, curriculum, and also the free SHS policy.
He emphasized that his administration will lead a major reform in Ghana’s education sector in their first 100 days in office, with placing focus on the use of local languages as a medium of instruction from KG to Basic 3 as part of his priority.
“My administration will focus on adopting ‘first language’ as a medium of instruction from KG to Basic 3 and training more teachers in major local languages to facilitate teaching and learning at the basic levels.
“To encourage reading at the basic level, we plan to build more libraries and resume providing reading and textbooks for all basic schools.”
With the Free Senior High School policy, Mr. Mahama reaffirmed his pledge to see a revision of the program, as a way to improve access to education.
“I will prioritise the revival of abandoned TVET and E-blocks in our education infrastructure drive to decongest schools and improve the quality of education.
“We also plan to review and improve the implementation of the Free SHS policy, resolve its associated challenges, and mainstream TVET and STEM in all secondary schools.”
