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Japan International Cooperation Agency

JICA Ghana Office, 2nd Floor, The Elizabeth, Anigye No. 68A, Senchi Link, Airport Residential Area, Accra P.O. Box 6402. Accra-North. GHANA Newsletter Tel: +233-(0)30-2760781 | Fax: +233-(0)30-2760954

Website: http//:www.jica.go.jp/ghana/english Issue no. 7 JANUARY 2012»»» Published by Jiro Inamura FEATURE Education Upfront + »»

FEATURE Pupils have deep Education understanding through JICA contributes to Quality a practical lesson Education in Ghana

02. Project Story Strengthening the Capacity of INSET Management

03. Exclusive Interview JICA Assists Ghanaian Teachers’ In-Service Training to go Nationwide

06. Project Story School Construction: Improving Access to Basic Education in Deprived Areas

06. Project Story Technical and Vocational Education and Training Support project

Volunteers News 07. Volunteer’s Family Visits Ghana

ANNOUNCEMENT 08. JICA Shop Rural Women’s Skills and JICA Contributes to Quality Education in Ghana Development Foundation (RWSDF)

With barely four years left to work towards achieving the Millennium Development Growth and Development Agenda Goals (MDGs 2015). Ghana is largely on track to achieving the MDG 2 target for (GSGDA); of which the Education universal primary education (with over 80% of school-age children enrolled and Strategic Plan (ESP) 2010–2020 remaining in school). However, disparities between the national figures and those for influenced. the northern regions exist. Ghana is also on track to achieving the MDG 3 target for On-going projects include In-Service gender parity in primary education. Training (INSET) project (2009–2013), Education is the key and foundation of activities is the concept of Capacity School Construction Project, Advisor for economic growth and social development. Development, which focuses on Decentralised Education Management It also contributes to stability and enhancing the problem-solving abilities (2010–2012) and Technical and peace. Japan has the history to have of the recipient beneficiaries at all levels, Vocational Education Training Support pursued technological development and including individual, organisational and (TVETS) project (2007–2011). Currently, industrialization through promoting societal levels. 30 JICA volunteers are working in the education. Based on its own experience, Education Sector. JICA sent 32 people Japan’s cooperation programmes in the JICA regards quality education for all, as from Ghana to training programmes in education sector in Ghana is consistent one of the prioritized areas of assistance. Japan/third countries to help transfer with the perspective of the Fourth Tokyo knowledge and technology in 2011. JICA’s assistance is custom-made International Conference for African according to the situation of individual Development (TICAD IV), as well as countries. The basic principle of our being aligned with the Ghana Shared 2 3 »»EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW »»PROJECT STORY JICA Assists Ghanaian Teachers’ ANIGYE NEWSLETTER Strengthening the Capacity of INSET Management In-Service Training to go Nationwide Background The quality of teachers is an important factor in children’s education. Normally, INSET during the piloting and in and teachers’ unions. The draft teachers attend teacher’s training colleges, now renamed as Colleges of Education, 2009 agreed the outline of the next policy has already been captured to learn the art of teaching. However, once they start teaching, in Ghana at least, INSET project as follows. The overall by the revised Education Strategic there is no official requirement for teachers to continually improve their teaching goal of the project is for the teaching Plan (ESP) 2010–2020. competencies, as pertains in other countries. competencies of public primary school teachers in the area of Mathematics The Teacher Education Division (TED) within a cluster; where teachers from Training in Japan/ third country and Science to be improved. The of the Ghana Education Service (GES), 2 to 5 schools come together to form a and Japanese volunteers project purpose is for the nationwide with the support of JICA’s INSET cluster (Cluster Based INSET (CBI)) Aside of in-country INSET management system for a structured project, is now introducing nationwide, for learning. INSET usually consist a activities, training programmes and quality INSET of Mathematics a principal method of continuous colleague teacher (previously trained on in Japan and third countries such and Science to be established and teacher professional development for how to conduct INSET), teaching his as Kenya are also organized reinforced. Within the project scope, public primary school teachers. peers how to develop practical lessons to complement the INSET JICA has been supporting the GES Mr. Nagumo, Deputy for pupils to understand. efforts. The Graduate School of INSET literally means In-Service through the TED, with a technical Team Leader of the Education, Okayama University, INSET project Training of teachers. It forms part of This nationwide rollout of INSET is as cooperation project to expand the Japan, is one such institution a teacher’s continuous professional a result of a successful piloting of the INSET model nationwide from June receiving INSET related personnel development. INSET can take place INSET model from 2000 to 2005 in 3 2009 in phases, 57 districts in the first from Ghana for training, with the at a school (School Based INSET districts, and from 2005 to 2008 in 10 phase, 41 districts in the second phase, aim of enhancing the capacity (SBI)) where the teachers within a districts; one from each region. GES on and 62 in the third phase, in terms of of the participants in conducting school come together to learn, or its part recognized the importance of capacity building of the management quality lessons and in leading Teachers share information structure at the national and district and improve their teaching quality SBI/CBI (12 in 2010 levels, and quality improvement at the skills through group work. and 12 in 2011 participated in school level. the trainings). On their return, Pupils at the Zuta Primary School in the personnel become the The Government of Ghana in its 1992 Constitution identified education as a key Akatsi. Akatsi was one of model pilot sites. Progress and Challenges to date resource persons aiding in the development tool for the nation and declared free access to basic education and retention As of December 2011, all districts institutionalization of INSET of children in schools. The Government, through various focused strategies, had have set up the INSET implementation activities. managed over the years to increase the Gross Enrolment Rate of primary schools to 96% structure at the district level. Many In addition, JICA dispatches Japan as at the 2010/2011 academic year. However, improvement in the quality of education, of these districts however, could not Overseas Cooperation Volunteer especially in terms of the quality of primary school teachers remains a challenge. organize training for the school level (JOCV) and Senior Volunteer personnel such as head teachers (HT) (SV) to work together with local Continued on page 4 and curriculum leaders (CL) due to people at District Education budgetary constraints at the district Offices, Schools (Primary, Junior level. Therefore, SBI and CBI are only and Senior), and Colleges of being conducted in a limited number of Education. districts at present. The TED and JICA Project team continues to support these districts to prioritise INSET activities Going forward, future within their budget plans in order to perspective: complete the trainings. The Nationwide INSET programme needs to be The TED has also made progress in continually reinforced. The developing the policy backbone for acceleration of the setting up of the Nationwide INSET Programme. the National Teaching Council, The teacher policy is intended to the body set up by law (the ensure that there are clear standards Education Act 2008) to be in which govern the pre-tertiary teacher charge of INSET in Ghana will aid education and development in Ghana. A in further strengthening INSET draft Pre-Tertiary Teacher Professional activities. As well as the passing Development and Management of the PTPDM Policy going a long (PTPDM) Policy has been shared way to institutionalize Teacher with wider stakeholders including Professional Development in key Ministry of Education and GES general, and INSET in particular. divisional heads, Development Partners 4 5

ANIGYE NEWSLETTER Madam Evelyn Owusu Oduro, the Programme Coordinator of the National INSET unit Madam Oduro: INSET used to be other partners are doing their best. Also, the data needed for our programme »» supply-driven, where the initiators we lack qualified teachers especially into the EMIS. As EMIS produce data (Government and its partners), take for Science and Mathematics and we set annually, we will get necessary INSET to schools, but now, it is experience brain-drain as teachers we information at no cost. We will also demand-driven as teachers in schools train to support INSET, move into other promote three model districts of INSET are demanding for INSET in their more lucrative ventures or jobs. implementation to motive other districts schools. This is a positive development, to positively introduce INSET system. because it literarily means that teachers How are you working towards are willing to go through INSET and overcoming these challenges How do you see the Ghanaian JICA Assists upgrade their teaching skills and update associated with the project? education system in the near future? Ghanaian their knowledge, thereby making them better teachers and invariably leading Madam Oduro: As a comprehensive Mr. Nagumo: It is our hope that in the Teachers’ to the enhancement of the quality of approach towards minimizing nearest future, Ghana operates a self- education delivered to students. brain-drain and attracting qualified sustaining education system. teachers (especially in Science and In-Service Madam Oduro: The benefits we JICA has been very pivotal in its Mathematics), we have developed a will derive from INSET are both support and assistance since we policy document detailing a holistic Training to go immediate and futuristic. In the short started the pilot project in 2000. JICA development policy for teachers term, teachers’ lesson planning and Nationwide has helped in developing modules in general. It is a subset of the teaching skills are enhanced and their for INSET, printing of modules, Education Sector Plan which is aimed knowledge upgraded, while students sensitization of district directorates on at improving the overall quality of receive better quality of education. In INSET Programme, funding of training education across board. We are also the long term, we will have a more activities, conduction of sampling engaging government to ensure its committed, qualified and competent surveys, monitoring and evaluation, backing at the district level, so as to teaching force and a more informed and JICA, since the year 2000, has been project, it was revealed that INSET, a first time for me to work in Ghana, I provision of logistics such as vehicles, make the implementation of INSET better educated and highly competitive supporting the Government’s initiatives demand-driven project piloted in 10 have been involved in Ghana twice, computers and accessories, and so on. in all 170 districts easier and more students. We are also hopeful that all targeted at improving the quality of districts, is becoming a nationwide once as a JICA volunteer in Atebubu, successful. education managers from national to education. From 2000 to 2005, JICA (170 districts) demand-driven project. Brong Ahafo Region as a science What are the challenges of the project Mr. Nagumo: As Madam Oduro district and school levels will ensure supported the Project for Improvement Excerpts of the interview are as follows: teacher in SHS between 1996 and 1998, as at now? discussed, implementation of training a sustainable quality education for of Educational Achievement in Science, and the other occasion was as a deputy Madam Oduro: The major challenge we like INSET generally costs a lot. Lack all Ghanaian children which will Technology and Mathematics in Basic team leader of the INSET Project phase What roles do you play in the INSET face now is lack of sufficient funding. of funding is always a challenge for provide the needed human capital for Education (STM project). Also, JICA 1 from 2005 to 2008. programme? Sometimes, we face problems with its sustainability. Therefore, effort the socio-economic and technological assisted the Project to Support the projected timelines for the execution to cut down the cost is our priority. advancement of Ghana. Operationalization of the In-Service Madam Oduro: I am the Programme What are the achievements of the or implementation of various aspects For example, one strategy we are Training Policy which was implemented Coordinator for the National INSET INSET project so far and what is the of the INSET project, such as training adopting to cut down on cost is to from 2005 to 2008 in ten pilot districts Unit and my roles are diversified impact of JICA’s assistance on the sessions, because we sometimes receive harmonize data with the Education across the country. The Pilot led to as a liaison officer between all the project? funding late. At other times, funding is Management Information System the development of the School-based implementing government agencies, inadequate, though, Government and (EMIS). We successfully incorporate and Cluster-based In-Service Training ministry and other stakeholders such Madam Oduro: The INSET project (INSET) models. as the Teacher Education Division started as a pilot project in 10 selected (TED), Ghana Education Service districts, as phase 1. Now, it is being JICA assisted in the development of (GES), Ministry of Education, JICA replicated and implemented in 170 the INSET implementation guidelines, and other partners. I am also involved districts nationwide. teaching manuals, strengthening in coordinating training activities for Mr. Nagumo: Our target is that about of an implementation system and INSET, monitoring development, 50% of all Ghanaian public primary capacity development. Building on documenting and reporting feedback to schools implement INSET at their the achievements of the project, the stakeholders. Government of Ghana requested JICA school by 2013. In Ghana, teachers to assist in implementing the INSET Mr. Nagumo: I am the Deputy Team keep good companies and relate to project from the 10-district pilot project Leader of the INSET project in one another freely, but they have not to a 170-district nationwide project. charge of Planning, Management and developed a culture to share teaching Coordination. I am responsible for skills and do independent peer review. In an exclusive interview conducted developing strategy and comprehensive So, the concept of INSET at school for Madam Evelyn Owusu Oduro, the schedule and managing human resource, level encourages teachers to discuss Programme Coordinator of the National as well as to ensure monitoring and successful teaching styles and improve INSET Unit and Mr. Tatsuya Nagumo, evaluation of the project. It is not the their teaching skills. the Japanese consultant of INSET Teachers join in the training programme. They train among teachers and in front of pupils. 6 Target Districts 7

33 schools are being The TVETS project, which ran from supporting the Capacity Development Going forward constructed within the project April 2007 to December 2011, has of COTVET through the development JICA is implementing the follow-up the project purpose to strengthen of a Harmonized Ghanaian CBT Model, cooperation from January to March 2012 implementation capacity of COTVET Forming functional COTVET Standing to produce and strengthen more experts ANIGYE NEWSLETTER and its related institutions for Committees, Occupational Standards who can facilitate the Trainer of Trainees introducing CBT at TVET training and Qualification Accreditation Systems, for CBT providers. In addition, JICA institutions in and out of Accra, organizational capacities and human is now considering the request from leading to forming a National TVET resources at COTVET Secretariat, the government of Ghana for a policy Qualifications Framework and and publicizing TVET for sensitizing advisor for strengthening the TVET Qualification Accreditation System CBT and enhancing partnership among sector. under COTVET. The Project is stakeholders. implementing CBT Piloting in the A number of Development Partner (DPs) The TVETS project has also supported three areas of Mechanical Engineering. are now coming to the TVET sub- the Improvement of Operational Piloting institutions are National sector. The World Bank and the African Mechanism for TVET delivery through Vocational Training Institute Pilot Development Bank (AfDB) for instance CBT Piloting. By developing Plans, Training Institute (NVTI-PTI) for , hope to use the CBT method starting PROJECT School Construction: Improving Access Curriculum and Training Materials »» electrics/ electronics, Accra Technical from the TVET College of Education, to for Piloting CBT, developing and Training Centre (ATTC) for welding, promote the CBT-led TVET reform. In STORY to Basic Education in Deprived Areas Supporting Workplace Experience and Accra Polytechnic for plant this regard, it is very promising that the (Industrial – Attachment) Program, the engineering. Government of Ghana is disseminating Background / Introduction Central Gonja) started in December Phase2 have been completed as of end Training of Trainers (TOT) on CBT the Ghana Harmonised CBT method 2010. The project is being implemented of January 2012. Preparations are also in Challenges and Progress piloting, monitoring and evaluating the nationwide with the support of various The Government of Ghana (GoG), piloting CBT programs, and reflecting under Japan’s Grant Aid for Community progress to call for tender for furniture Although the project faced a challenge DPs. through its constitution guarantees the lessons learnt to TVET delivery Empowerment Scheme; a scheme supplies for the Phase 2 schools. in the delay in setting up of COTVET, free basic education to its citizens. The mechanism. number of schools to accommodate which aims to develop communities by the project has also achieved much empowering their capability by positively the increased students has come under Going forward progress. Progress made includes enormous pressure. This challenge utilizing local design, local contractors, The supervising and consulting teams compelled the government of Japan to and local material suppliers. would continue to give advice and agree to the GoG’s request to construct guidance to local contractors to speed schools for the most deprived areas. Volunteer’s Family Visits Ghana Progress and Challenges to date up the construction process in order to Volunteers News

The school construction, which started in The project has faced a litany of complete the Project as much as possible Volunteers and their counterparts warmly welcomed parent visit. March 2010 and is ongoing to construct challenges leading to the progress of on time, and also to ensure quality. At

classrooms for primary and junior high both phases of the project being behind the same time, they will work to transfer schools, teacher’s accommodation, toilet schedule. These challenges range from the basic construction technology to facilities and educational furniture in 33 there being inadequate materials for contractors and staff involved in the schools. This is made up of 16 schools construction (sand and aggregates) project. in Central Region (Assin North, Assin on site, to contractors not having the South) started in March 2010, and 17 required number of workers on most schools in the Northern Region (Karaga, sites. In spite of these challenges, four Bunkpurugu Yunyoo, Sawla Tuna Kalba, schools, one more than expected from

»»PROJECT STORY Technical and Vocational Education and Training Support project -Mr. Hiroshi SHIBATA, father of Ms. Chika SHIBATA-

Background / Introduction My daughter is in Ghana as a JICA education for pupils, and a pupil can I also visited other volunteers on other The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) subsector volunteer. Luckily, I could visit her for learn how to use prosthetic apparatus days. Some of them were working in »» has faced a number of complaints over the years. Amongst them, are the a week with other volunteers’ families through playing. more remote areas than my daughter last October. was. They stayed in very small villages need for TVET that meets the demands of the industries the TVET trainees One day, I came to see my daughter alone. I was really impressed and are to work in, and the insufficient practical skills of graduates fromTVET My daughter is working for the at the training centre. At the centre, respected them for keeping themselves Training Institutions. JICA first supported the subsector with the Study for prosthetic training centre in Nsawam. everyone called her ‘Chika’, ‘Chika’ strong in these environments. Development of a Master Plan to Strengthen Technical Education in Ghana Nsawam is located an hour and a half very friendly. I actually found that how in 2001, the findings of which recommended a TVET educational reform far from Accra by road. The centre is a she fitted in the local life naturally. As I sincerely hope that all volunteers using Competency-Based Training (CBT) Methods and the establishment of rehabilitation centre where people have her father, I am proud of her for putting safely complete their duties. the Council for TVET amongst others. JICA further responded to the GoG’s prosthetic training of artificial legs or great efforts into her work. request with the TVETS Project. arms. My daughter promotes informal Mr. Kawashima, a Japanese expert trains students at the Accra Technical Training Centre ANIGYE NEWSLETTER

RWSDF produces colorful products using above fabric.

Announcement JICA Shop

Rural Women’s Skills and Development Foundation (RWSDF)

Purpose of organization RWSDF is a school in Nsawam where girls can acquire hands-on skills for their future. The school does craftworks and has been supported by a volunteer from JICA. Some of its craft works are displayed for sale at JICA office and other places.