USAID Launches New Activity to Support Low-Cost Private Schools in Northern Ghana
Accra, GHANA – U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Mission Director Grace Lang joined the Minister of Education Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum in Tamale yesterday to launch a new five-year, $14.39 million activity to support low-cost private schools in northern Ghana. The activity is USAID’s first foray into Ghana’s private school sector and is designed to expand access to 213 select low-cost private schools in northern Ghana.
Expanding Access to Quality Education
“A quality education should not depend on where you live. We want every child to have access to a quality education. The $14 million activity we are launching today will support low-cost private schools that serve rural and disadvantaged communities. The activity will support those schools to improve education access, quality, and learning outcomes for students, and increase private sector investments in northern Ghana,” USAID Deputy Mission Director Lang said.
Comprehensive Investment Strategy
This new USAID activity will increase teacher certification and retention, strengthen school leadership capacity and quality, and use a comprehensive investment strategy that will support school improvement. The activity will also offer affordable financing options for select low-cost private schools serving disadvantaged communities in northern Ghana. The activity is committed to serving populations in the most under-resourced locations in the northern section of the country. The activity will also strengthen the relationship and regulator capacity of the Ministry of Education and certain Ministry of Education agencies in its oversight of private schools.
Expected Outcomes
By the end of five years, USAID anticipates that the project will strengthen business skills for more than 200 school leaders, equip 400 teacher mentors with evidence-based classroom best practices to teach another 2,000 teachers, and certify 1,200 untrained teachers. USAID implementing partner Opportunity International will also create a School Capacity Building Fund (SCBF) to assist the targeted schools to improve operations and become more credit-worthy through catalytic grants.
About USAID
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAID’s activities and strategic partnerships support Ghana’s journey to self-reliance and a “Ghana Beyond Aid.” Our work advances an integrated approach to development. It promotes accountability, sustainable systems, and inclusive development.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes | – Increase teacher certification and retention – Strengthen school leadership capacity and quality – Equip teacher mentors with evidence-based classroom best practices to teach other teachers – Certify untrained teachers |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university | – Increase access to low-cost private schools in northern Ghana |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17 Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships | – Strengthen the relationship and regulatory capacity of the Ministry of Education and certain Ministry of Education agencies in oversight of private schools |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under SDG 4: Quality Education are:
- 4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
- 4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
The specific target under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals is:
- 17.17 Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Increase teacher certification and retention
- Strengthen school leadership capacity and quality
- Equip teacher mentors with evidence-based classroom best practices to teach other teachers
- Certify untrained teachers
- Increase access to low-cost private schools in northern Ghana
- Strengthen the relationship and regulatory capacity of the Ministry of Education and certain Ministry of Education agencies in oversight of private schools
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes | – Increase teacher certification and retention – Strengthen school leadership capacity and quality – Equip teacher mentors with evidence-based classroom best practices to teach other teachers – Certify untrained teachers |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university | – Increase access to low-cost private schools in northern Ghana |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17 Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships | – Strengthen the relationship and regulatory capacity of the Ministry of Education and certain Ministry of Education agencies in oversight of private schools |
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Source: gh.usembassy.gov
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