Transparency and Accountability in local education governance structures for improved learning outcomes (2014-2022)
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Following the poor education learning outcomes in our operational areas, Ibis and now Ibis /oxfam engaged Choice Ghana to strengthen School Management structures to demand as a matter of right, quality education outcomes from education duty bearers. This involved training of SMCs on their roles, education policies, how to prepare School Performance Improvement Plans (SPIP), how to track the flow of education resources and the transparent and effective utilisation of these resources.

The implementation this project for two years clearly pointed out that, achieving effective demand for quality learning outcomes was far from being achieved. This was  due to the weak nature of the SMCs groups which equally lacked of recognition. This led to an innovation to network the SMCs into network structures. Networking them will create a critical mass, give a bigger voice and compell recognition to enable to effectively influence desired change. This was conceived as a model that was again supported fully by Ibis/Oxfam. School level SMCs were networked to form the circuit level networks and circuit level networks were also networked to form the district level network. They were taken through a series of trainings and learn and share visits.

The SMC thus became a solid body. From this stage coupled with the conduct of the CLA, the SMC became vibrant and used evidence from CLA tests and engaged GES to the level where GES had no space for technical manoeuvring to escape responsibility but had to offer the best of cooperation towards tackling educational challenges. This contributed in moving BECE percentage pass from 27% in 2014 to 80% by 20219/20. Kpandai where this project was fully implemented became the second best performing district in Northern region.

The network with support from Choice Ghana, became a key stakeholder in quality education service delivery in the district. Their engagement yield furniture for schools without furniture and motor bikes and fuel for supervisors, and accommodation for teachers all from the district assembly and the share of the Mps Common fund. At the community level the network succeeded in awakening parents to refrain from limit children access to education especially the girl child through early marriage, farm and household activities as well as some sociocultural believes.

The network has transcended its operational area and met with the highest decision making structures to hold engagements with the Northern Regional Coordinating Council and the Northern Regional Technical Education Group on safe re-opening of schools during the Covid-19 Pandemic ensure that learning outcomes do not dwindle.

 

Choice Ghana seek to empower communities to be capable of accessing opportunities for a better life.