Ghana recently joined the rest of the world to mark the 5th International Day of Education. The Day makes countries to prioritise education to accelerate progress toward attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
January 24 was declared the International Day of Education by a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 3rd December, 2018. This year’s celebration was on the theme “To Invest in People, Prioritise Education.”
As part of the event, some personnel from the United Nations and the Ministry of Education visited some selected schools in Accra to encourage the youth to take their academic work seriously in order to achieve their future aspirations.
This annual initiative is very beneficial since it serves as a reminder to children that much is expected from them with respect to their education.
Following the commemoration of this event, it is important that stakeholders in education focus attention on schools in deprived areas.
There are still many schools across the country that are lagging behind when it comes to provision of infrastructure and other facilities which could have complemented the right of pupils to quality education.
Some parents continue to earn meagre salaries and are, therefore, unable to meet all the educational needs of their wards. Child marriage and teenage pregnancy continue to undermine the efforts made in improving educational standards.
Indeed, the commemoration of the International Day of Education means we must identify and fill the gaps that still exist as we consolidate the gains made in the education sector so far. I wish to say kudos for how far we have come.
Yunusah Essandoh,
Achimota, Accra.