By Kodjo Adams, GNA
Accra, Dec 11, GNA - Mr Alhassan Andani, the Managing Director of Stanbic Bank has appealed to financial institutions and corporate bodies to support the 'Teach2Teach' educational project in the country.
Mr Andani said education played an immeasurable role in the development of any country, and that, it was necessary for stakeholders to support underserved educational institutions, especially those in the rural areas to bridge the educational gap.
Mr Andani, who is also the President of the Ghana Association of Bankers (GAB) made the appeal on Monday in Accra at a discussion to build a consortium of social impact funders to support the work of Teach2Teach International.
The Teach2Teach International is an organization dedicated to tacking crisis in primary education and youth employment in the country.
It is a five-year Community Volunteer Teacher Programme (CVTP), piloted in the country to provide quality professional teacher training to talented and motivated young people, who want to develop their skills and help their communities.
The programme, expected to start in 2019, cost more than 12 million pounds and would target five regions, with more focus on the Northern region.
The forum brought together Chief Executives of financial institutions and stakeholders in the educational sector to chart the path in supporting underperformed schools, especially in the Northern region.
Mr Andani said GAB had a corporate social responsibility unit that support activities of disasters in the country, and as such would discuss with members the need to support the Teach2Teach project.
He said all must partner with stakeholders to address the issue of education, which would lead to reduction in youth unemployment and improved economic growth.
Mr Andani said Ghana was looking to position itself beyond aid, stressing that this can be possible with strong partnerships among corporate bodies and stakeholders in the sector.
He stated that an effective educational system would broaden the knowledge and skills base of the citizenry to contribute significantly in nation's development.
He appealed to all and sundry to support the project to improve education in the rural communities and as well close the gap between the urban and rural communities.
Madam Anita Lowenstein Dent, the Founder, Teach2Teach International, said the CVTP trains participants in the best, modern, child-centred teaching practice, along with wider leadership skills, focusing on numeracy, literacy, problem solving and learning through play.
She said because more than 263 million children were out of school globally and received no education they were underperforming, and that, across Africa, there was lack of teachers, where youth unemployment often exceeds 50 per cent, which the CVTP would be responding to these challenges.
Madam Dent said the outcome of the programme would help improve educational delivery in highly deprived schools, improved educational outcomes for pupils in these schools and lower dropout rates with greater life opportunities for the students, particularly for girls.
Dr Eugene Owusu, Special Advisor to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), commended the organization for the initiative, pledging government support to ensure that every child was not left behind in terms of education.
He said, to ensure education for all, government introduced the free Senior High School policy to enroll all basic students into the second cycle education.
Dr Owusu said government would work assiduously to meet the SDG four- "to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all".
Mr Kwame Agyepong, Special Assistant to the Minister of Education, said quality education was at the heart of government and would support any intervention to improve education in the country.
He said the Ministry is reviewing the curriculum to meet the needs of 21 St Century education.
Mr Agyeapong said the review would among others focus on creativity literacy, hands-on practical and continuous professional training for teachers to upgrade their knowledge in their field of disciplines.
GNA
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