Journal Portal
Global Research Journal of Education Vol.3(2) pp. 20 – 31 June 2013
Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/journal/grje
Copyright ©2013 Global Research Journals
Review.
Educational Sector Reforms in Ghana: A Review
John Poku , Godfred M. Aawaar, Thomas Adomah Worae
Department of Accountancy and Accounting Information Systems, Faculty of Business & Management Studies, Kumasi Polytechnic, Ghana
Corresponding Author’s email ; johnpoku59@yahoo.com
| Abstract |
This paper sought to examine and review the reforms in the education sector in Ghana. The motivation of the authors was the fact that the paper would provide information and policy recommendations on the real state of educational sector reforms in Ghana for stakeholders’ consideration. Data were collected using a triangulation approach from three main sources including interview, observation and document analysis. The study identified various reforms that have taken place in both the pre-tertiary and tertiary educational levels in Ghana. The reforms, though often fashioned with good intentions, are often misunderstood, wrongly approached and accidently implemented. On the basis of the number of reforms that the education sector has experienced over the years, the paper concluded that education in Ghana can be described as being under experimentation, without a very clear direction and focus. The country appears very indecisive regarding the education system to adopt for all levels. Selection criteria into senor high schools, choice of programmes of study, and even the duration of secondary education and others still remain fairly unresolved issues at the secondary level. In many cases, the reforms failed for political, social and economic considerations. Various governments and parties in power either ignored or reversed the policies of their opponents just for political considerations. The reforms have not yet addressed the disconnection between the requirements of businesses and industries and the skill types and levels of graduates produced by tertiary institutions. The paper thus saw this extrication between curricula and industry as the single most important cause of low labour productivity and high graduate unemployment in the country.
Key Words: Education Sector Reforms, Exploratory Research, Review.