Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Ghana’s Minister of Education,has highlighted a concerning issue in the country’s education system.
Speaking at the launch of the National Education Leadership Institute (NELI) in Takoradi, Dr. Adutwum disclosed that a recent study by the National Standardized Test, conducted in 2022, has revealed that a staggering 62% of primary-2 pupils in Ghana cannot read.
This revelation comes as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Ghana’s education system. Dr. Adutwum expressed his dismay at the situation, noting that in a similar test conducted back in 2015, only 2% of primary-2 students could read. While there has been some improvement, with 38% of students now able to read, the Education Minister emphasized that the current state of affairs is far from satisfactory.
“We cannot be happy with the fact that 62% of our primary-2 pupils still cannot read,” Dr. Adutwum declared. He emphasized the urgent need for change and the importance of nurturing a new generation of education leaders who are dedicated to improving learning outcomes in the country.
Dr. Adutwum criticized the existing system of “apprenticeship-produced leadership” and stressed the need for a shift towards purposefully trained leaders who understand what it takes to make schools work effectively in Ghana. He cited the example of Wesley Girls’ High School, known for its academic excellence, as a model to be emulated.
The Education Minister highlighted the role of the newly launched National Education Leadership Institute (NELI) in this transformation. NELI aims to provide the necessary training and resources to develop capable and forward-thinking education leaders who will drive positive change in Ghana’s education system.