Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
Dear Lead For Ghana Community,
Happy new month! We're thrilled to bring you this edition of Briefings From Lead For Ghana! Here’s what to expect:
Regional Spotlight - Oti Region
Educational Statistics
The Oti Region with a population of 747,248 (2021 population census) was carved out of the northern part of the Volta Region in 2018. The region is divided into nine (9) Municipal and District Assemblies (M/DAs), made up of 4 Municipalities and 5 District Assemblies.
The region’s literacy rate among the population six (6) years and older is 50.6% well below the national rate of 69.8%. 55.8% of the male population six (6) years and older are literate, while only 41.7% of the female population six (6) years and older are literate.
Out of the region's total population, 34.2% of children three (3) years and older have never attended school, 36.7% are currently enrolled in school and 29% have attended school in the past.
Impact to Date
Lead For Ghana made its debut in the Oti Region in 2021, marking a significant milestone in our organization's expansion. The region had a robust start, deploying thirty (30) fellows across ten (10) schools in ten (10) districts. Since then, our presence has grown, with thirty-four (34) fellows now stationed in thirteen (13) schools, making a substantial impact on over five thousand (5,000) students to date. Over the course of three (3) years in the region, our fellows have spearheaded 11 capstone projects alongside numerous other initiatives, demonstrating our commitment to fostering positive change and innovation within the community.
At the beginning of the region’s fellowship program, Fellows administered a diagnostic assessment to test students' relevant previous knowledge and gain insights into their understanding of basic concepts in various subject areas. The results from the first year's diagnostic scores revealed an average score of 24.6% across ten schools. After one (1) year of Fellows teaching the students, another round of diagnostic assessment was conducted, and the average score improved to 56.7%.
Some of our Fellows’ capstone projects and initiatives are highlighted below.
Ankaase Matamallam D/A Basic School
Fellows assigned to the school were met with students sitting and lying on the bare floors during lessons. This situation heavily impacted the interest, concentration levels, and overall performance of the students. The Fellows therefore spearheaded the acquisition of 40 dual desks to improve the learning conditions of their students.
Additionally, Fellows established an early morning reading club to help improve the literacy rate among their students and prep the final-year students for their BECE. This initiative has seen significant improvement in overall academic performance as well as BECE pass rates.
Apostle Ntumy Junior High School (JHS)
The Fellows at the Apostle Ntumy JHS took proactive steps to enhance the educational experience for students with several initiatives including establishing a reading club, organizing quizzes, and embarking on experiential excursions to the Zipline and ferry sites in Kete-Krachi, giving students valuable exposure to the world around them. They also successfully organized a career fair, to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world aspirations.
Fellows also demonstrated their sensitivity to students' well-being by observing Menstrual Hygiene Day, to promote menstrual awareness and provide sanitary items for female students. To further improve their students’ learning environment, the fellows invested in the school's infrastructure by purchasing and installing whiteboards, and organizing book drives, to replenish the school library and nurture a love for reading among students.
Ehiamankyene R.C.A Junior High School
The fellows displayed their commitment to strengthening students' literacy skills by creating a dynamic reading and essay club. Recognizing the importance of accessible resources, they negotiated with a publishing company to secure the Cockcrow textbooks for students, making them available at a highly affordable cost to students.
Additionally, the fellows took proactive measures to empower BECE candidates by organizing supplementary classes, a strategy that yielded remarkable outcomes. This dedication translated into the school's pass rate surging from 18% to 100% in the 2021-2022 academic year.
Beyond academics, the fellows exhibited their compassion and support by successfully raising funds to assist two students to further their education at Mawuli and Ola Senior High Schools. Through these collaborative efforts, the fellows showcased their determination to enhance both educational opportunities and outcomes for the betterment of the students they served.
Fellow Spotlight: Brightening Paths Through Collaboration
“Whenever I go to school and see my students, it gives me joy!
Bright Edujih Kuleke embarked on his journey with the Lead For Ghana Fellowship driven by his passion to serve people and witness their growth. Little did he know that every day at Monkra M/A School would be filled with heartwarming moments.
Upon arriving in Monkra in 2023, Bright was struck by the reality of rumors he'd heard about many Ghanaians never having seen a computer. None of his students had. The simple act of introducing them to this technology filled him with immense joy, evidenced by their eagerness to take turns carrying his laptop to and from school.
Joined by his colleague Fellows Anifa Imoro and Abdul Razak Issaka, Bright has wasted no time identifying and tackling issues within the Monkra M/A School in the Oti Region. One of the first issues they identified and addressed was the students’ lack of proper note-taking materials. Bright spearheaded the rallying of funds and support to provide their students with 300 exercise books and pens, ensuring each student had adequate resources.
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Additionally, the team of Fellows has established "Teens Zone," a club fostering education on various topics including personal hygiene, financial literacy, personal growth, and life skills. Through collaboration with permanent teaching staff at the school, they tailor sessions to address students’ specific needs, fostering an environment of learning and growth.
For their capstone project, the team aims to provide the school with electricity as well as repair classroom infrastructure - doors and windows, to prevent theft.
In only four months, Bright and his colleagues have had tremendous success in kickstarting initiatives at the Monkra M/A School for one simple reason: collaboration. They effectively collaborate not only among themselves but also with the school's permanent staff and leadership. By presenting ideas as a unified team, they easily garner support and resources vital for implementation.
Through his fellowship, Bright is learning the importance of empathy and patience, choosing understanding over judgment when faced with student behavior challenges. He emphasizes being patient and collaborating with students to problem-solve for improved outcomes.
Looking ahead, Bright remains optimistic, recognizing the endless opportunities for impact at the Monkra M/A School. He eagerly anticipates further successes, more moments of joy, and continuous growth for himself and his team.
Alumni Spotlight - Stephen Atta Gyan: How Positive Outcomes Fuel His Drive
“Every effort to change we make--no matter how tiny it seems to us--just might make the biggest difference…” - Michael A. Dunn
Stephen fell in love with teaching in 2010, after teaching a Religion and Social class. He witnessed the transformation of his students who became better and more responsible as students and as members of their society. Inspired by their growth, he was propelled by the desire to replicate such positive outcomes. He also resolved to pursue a degree in Education and Social Life. Hence, when the opportunity to join the Lead For Ghana Fellowship arose, Stephen seized it without hesitation.
Arriving at their designated community, Stephen and his co-fellows faced a daunting challenge: a school with a 0% BECE pass rate and students who had been written off. Undeterred, they embraced Lead For Ghana's three core beliefs: responsibility is mutual, innovation is simple, impossible is nothing. In a mere four months, they achieved the remarkable feat of a 100% pass rate among the sixteen final-year students, earning praise from both the school's staff and leadership.
Their success at the Apostle Ntumy Junior High School (JHS) became a beacon of hope, inspiring collaboration with the school's teachers and administrators who were eager to learn from them. By fostering a culture of teamwork, they maintained a BECE pass rate of an impressive 94% by 2022.
Just as he was motivated by the success of his Religion and Social class, the fellows' achievements at Apostle Ntumy JHS further increased Stephen's desire to replicate such positive outcomes. He was also inspired by the strong bond with the community, a bond like he’d never had. He thus completed his fellowship and decided to continue serving as an Alumni Teacher with Lead For Ghana at the Accra High School, teaching ICT.
Stephen's commitment to improving education, however, extends beyond pass rates. At Apostle Ntumy JHS, he empowered students to voice their concerns and share their ideas through initiatives like the suggestion box which fostered creativity and self-expression. He recalls an interesting submission about the need for some entertainment in the school. The fellows and staff at the school decided to leverage holidays and festivals to give the students a platform to showcase their talents. They loved it!
Teaching at Apostle Ntumy JHS allowed Stephen to connect with his students on a profound level, engaging in home visits to understand their circumstances and collaborate with parents to enhance educational and social outcomes. Through these experiences, he cultivated empathy, found his own voice, and embraced personal growth.
One of Stephen's most cherished memories was resolving a longstanding rivalry between Apostle Ntumy and Osramanae M/A JHS, two neighboring schools in the community. By organizing collaborative events like a career fair and a quiz competition, they fostered unity and community development, marking a historic shift from conflict to celebration.
For their Capstone project, Stephen and his colleagues provided essential resources like whiteboards and markers to enhance classroom learning. They also initiated a community laboratory project for the local health clinic in partnership with World Connect, a project which is still ongoing.
Though Stephen dreams of pursuing a career in family advocacy law, his love for teaching remains unwavering. He intends to always teach, no matter what path he takes. He believes in the power of unity and collaboration to overcome challenges and achieve shared goals, a lesson exemplified by his transformative journey with the Lead For Ghana Fellowship.
“When we work together, share ideas, and respect each other's opinions, we can always get things done no matter how difficult they may be.”
Education News In Africa
Gov’t establishing new universities to expand access to higher education – Majority Leader
Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afeyo Markin, has announced that the government is taking significant steps to broaden access to quality education by establishing new universities. These institutions, located in Mampong, Akrodie, Bunso, and Kintampo, aim to enhance teacher education and the overall quality of tertiary education in Ghana. (Source: Citinewsroom)
Young Africans Speak: Views On University Education And The Transition To Work From Ghana, Kenya And Uganda
This paper explores the data and sheds light on the views of students and recent graduates on access to higher education and its quality, as well as on the school-to-work transition in the three countries under consideration. (Source: Education Sub-Saharan Africa)
Africa: Rural Schools in South Africa Can Produce Good Exam Results Too - Study Shows What's Behind One Success Story
There has been some improvement in matric (school-leaving) exam results in the largely rural provinces. In 2016 the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo provinces, which are home to about 72% of rural South African children, were ranked last among all nine provinces. But despite some bright spots, there is a sense among experts and pundits that rural education needs to be entirely re-imagined. (Source: The Conversation)
Announcement
Fellow Recruitment Is In Session
We are still on the lookout for our next cohort of changemakers! Join the Lead For Ghana Fellowship Program and help shape the future of Ghana, one lesson at a time. Apply here.
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