We are excited to have started our work as part of a consortium led by Street Child UK to improve the education outcomes of over 70,000 children in rural and urban Ghana! The three-year project, entitled The Ghana Education Outcomes Project is one of the biggest we have ever undertaken and will greatly improve children’s literacy and numeracy.
The 2021 Ghanaian census showed that a staggering 1.2 million children are out of school. Those children living in low income families from some of the most deprived areas of Ghana are at particular risk of never attending. The reasons children do not attend school vary. Many have to stay at home to help with farming or to generate income, they may have to look after younger siblings while their parents work, or may have simply stayed away from school because of they didn’t get the support they needed for their learning needs. Heartbreakingly, some children may have had little choice left but to leave home to try and make a living on the streets of urban areas.
As well as not attending school regularly, children’s low education levels are compounded by the devesting Covid-19 school lockdowns. Our research has shockingly shown that half of the 8 year olds in these regions are not able to read any words at all and half of all 10 year olds are well below the standard proficiency for their age in maths.
But now, thanks to funding from the World Bank, children from 200 primary schools will not only have access to the education they deserve but their families will be supported in keeping them in school.
“I’m really proud that we are partners in such a ground breaking project which will have a profound lifechanging effect for so many children across Ghana. Quality and inclusive education is crucial for all children to thrive and reach their potential.”
Abdul-Ghaffar Adam, Head of Operations, West Africa
Over the four years we will employ and train 20 Social Support Aids to work with families and children with additional learning needs to find out why they aren’t in school and find solutions to get them back there. We will also employ and train 10 Social Support Officers who will support the schools to safeguard children and to ensure that children are supported to stay in school.
In addition, we will carry out awareness sessions in communities to raise understanding of the value and importance of education and what communities can do to support children at risk of being out of school.
Education is critical for all children to succeed in life. £6 could provide a child with the 1:1 support they need to stay in class and reach their full potential! Donate today so that no child misses out on an education.
