Inadequate learning and Teaching materials negatively affecting learning outcomes – Upper East GES Director
The Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service, GES, Edward Azure, has said lack of teaching and learning maetrials in basic schools is negatively affecting quality education in the region.
According to him, the inadequate infrastructure and furniture at both primary and junior high school levels hinder quality education delivery and results in poor educational outcomes.
Mr. Azure reiterated the urgent need for furniture and physical infrastructure to improve teaching and learning.
“Our greatest headache is the inadequate furniture situation in our schools. The ratio for both seating and writing places for kindergarten is 0.3, which means that we have 30% of the requirement, that of primary school is 0.5 which translates into 50% of the requirement, and Junior High School is 0.6 thus 60% of the requirement.”
“This impedes effective teaching and learning and leads to poor learning outcomes. Another area of concern is the inadequate physical infrastructure. The region recorded pupils classroom ratio for 2019/2020 as follows 72 pupils with 23% requiring major repairs for kindergarten, 44 (22%) for primary and 40 (24%) for junior high school.”
Mr. Azure, also expressed concern about the lack of office accommodation for some directorates of education, compelling some to share offices with other state institutions.
“Aside from these, most Municipal and District Education Directorates lack office accommodation. Notably among them are; Kasena-Nankana Municipal, Builsa South, Binduri, Tempane, Nabdam, Bolgatanga-East, and Pusiga. Most of those who have office accommodation also need serious repairs”.
Mr. Azure, further described as disheartening the negative impact of some conflicts in the region on teaching and learning outcomes, calling on parties to the conflicts to embrace peace for the development of their areas.
“Better learning outcomes blossom in a peaceful state of mind and environment. However, the recent happenings in Bawku and between Kandiga and Doba is disheartening. Schools that are found in these places have started recording a low turnout of both pupils and teachers.”
“How can effective teaching and learning go on when both teachers and pupils are psychologically traumatized? Let us be mindful that violence is a virus that mutates very fast. Therefore, I would like to appeal to the Chiefs and the good people of Bawku, Kandiga, and Doba to let peace reign. For us to bounce back better, we need absolute peace.”
