Schools in Ghana. Sometimes they are fun and the kids seem happy. But more often after a visit I feel like crying as their eyes are hollow and the teacher’s cane seems to be the only teaching material that is used in the school. As you can see from this video (shot by my fiancé; I cut out most parts where he zoomed in on my legs and other body parts) Ghana is still facing numerous challenges, particularly concerning the quality of education. Due to the rapid increase in school enrolment after the abolishment of school fees, classrooms have become over-crowded in many areas. Half of public primary schools do not have latrines and nearly 40 percent of them do not have running water. Schools generally lack textbooks. Less than 60 percent of primary teachers have had proper professional training. And teachers just make the children repeat, repeat and repeat. Which is clearly not very effective as after 6 years of primary school only 36% can read and write.
But the kids make me smile too. And I really hope that our work contributes to a slowly but steady change in the educational system. A change towards a more child-centred pedagogy which makes the children enjoy learning new things. And a system which helps them develop their full potential, encourages them to participate in class, ask questions and express their opinions. But it’s a long way to go.
