Over 20,000 learners transition into mainstream schools under GEOP.

A total of 21, 103 learners in the North East Region have been successfully transitioned into mainstream schools under the Ghana Education Outcomes Project (GEOP) as part of efforts to encourage out-of-school children to access formal education.

The learners who constituted cohort two of the project passed the Accelerated Learning Programme (API) in literacy and numeracy in their mother tongue, and as such, have acquired the instructional training as outlined in the Complementary Basic Education (CBE) policy.

Beneficiary districts of the programme in the region included Bunkprugu/Nakpanduri, Yunyoo/Nasuan, Chereponi, East Mamprusi, Mamprugu Moaduri and West Mamprusi District.

Hajia Nana Fatima High, GEOP Coordinator at a durbar held in Walewale in the West Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region to officially transition learners into the mainstream schools, said learners prior to the transitioning were taken through rigorous baseline and end-line assessments.

The durbar held under the theme “Getting All Children Educated through Support to Schools and Communities” was organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with its implementing partners including Plan International Ghana among others.

It was attended by various stakeholders in education such as chiefs and other traditional and religious leaders, and community leaders, among others.

Hajia High indicated that GEOP for the past two years, have implemented two ALP cohorts in literacy and numeracy which have benefited approximately 38,443 learners.

She commended the Ministry of Education, World Bank, National Council for Curriculum Assessment (NaCCA) and other partners for their unwavering commitment to supporting out-of-school learners in the area.

She advised the learners saying “Always remember that education is your passport to a brighter future, so stay committed to this great cause and doors of opportunities will continue to unlock for you”.

The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, in an address read for him by Nana Baffour Awuah, Director of Pre-Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education, said the Ministry has hitherto transitioned 17,340 learners into mainstream schools in the Savelugu Municipality of Northern Region after the successful completion of the first cohort of the ALP.

He said they have made a considerable improvement by increasing the number of learners in cohort two by 3, 673 learners.

He said education was the cornerstone of development, adding that the Ministry was implementing the GEOP to give school dropouts and street children a second chance to achieve their dreams.

Mr Sulemana Gbana Hor, the Northern Program Manager of Plan International Ghana an NGO, said they have supported in equipping teachers with the tools needed to improve teaching quality and learning outcomes in 239 mainstream school improvement programmes throughout three regions and in eleven districts.

He said “We have provided targeted training to teachers empowering them to deliver remedial lessons to underperforming students to facilitate their academic progress.

Mr Hor, urged all stakeholders in the region to recognize the importance of education, adding that it is not only about academic success but also about creating future leaders who would contribute to the growth and development of the communities and the nation at large.

Mr Simon Anaane Amokase, the North East Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES) said the project has contributed to an increase in school enrollment and attendance and also helped to improve positive teaching and learning outcomes in the region.

He added that the involvement of parents and community members in the education processes of the learners has been enhanced.

Mr Seidu Mutalib Abubakari, a beneficiary and an ambassador of the project who is now a University graduate praised the Ministry of Education and partners, saying “But for their support some of us including many other children in the region would not have gotten formal education”.

Learners after the durbar received learning materials such as pens, pencils, erasers, mathematical sets, and sports kits among others to support them in the schools.