The Ghanaian government is contemplating a 2% allocation from the annual Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to support the Ministry of Education's response to emergencies affecting schools and learning. This proposed funding mechanism aims to enable the ministry to respond swiftly to disasters such as floods, fire outbreaks, storms, and other emergencies disrupting teaching and learning across the country. Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu disclosed this information in Accra.
The announcement was made during a communications briefing ahead of the Second High-Level Conference on Scaling Education Initiatives in Emergencies (EiE) West Africa. Organized by Associates for Change (AfC) in collaboration with its partners, the conference brings together education ministers, researchers, innovators, financiers, academics, and regional bodies. The goal is to discuss strategies for ensuring continuity of education during emergencies.
Ghana's experience with the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, conflicts, tidal waves, and other disasters has exposed weaknesses in the country's preparedness to sustain education during disruptions. Minister Iddrisu recalled that the COVID-19 school closures in March 2020 disrupted learning for millions of students, highlighting inequalities in access to digital education. This was particularly challenging for children without electricity, smartphones, or radio.
The government has since expanded innovative digital education mechanisms and tools from kindergarten through primary and junior high school. This initiative aims to ensure that learning continues during future emergencies. The Minister's comments underscore the importance of developing robust systems to mitigate the impact of disasters on education.
The proposed 2% allocation from GETFund is expected to enhance the Ministry of Education's capacity to respond to emergencies. This move demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing the challenges posed by disasters and ensuring the continuity of education. Further details about the proposed allocation and its implementation are awaited.
The Second High-Level Conference on Scaling Education Initiatives in Emergencies (EiE) West Africa is a significant platform for stakeholders to discuss pressing issues. The conference seeks to promote collaboration and innovative solutions to ensure education continuity during emergencies. Minister Iddrisu's announcement is expected to generate interest and discussions among participants.
The Ghanaian government's consideration of a 2% GETFund allocation for education emergencies reflects its dedication to improving the resilience of the education sector. This move is part of broader efforts to address the impact of disasters and ensure that students can continue learning despite disruptions. The outcome of the conference and the implementation of the proposed allocation will be closely watched.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government considers allocating 2% of GETFund to support the Ministry of Education's response to emergencies.
- The proposed allocation aims to enable swift responses to disasters disrupting teaching and learning.
- Ghana's experience with COVID-19 and other disasters has exposed weaknesses in its preparedness to sustain education during disruptions.
