NPP’s Success in Education Is A True Transformation Not Just Political Hype – Dr Joseph Albert Quarms
Dr. Joseph Albert Quarm lauded the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for its significant strides in education. He emphasized that the party’s efforts have “raised education to an impressive level,” transforming the sector since they took office in 2009. “From basic education onward, things have been on the right track,” he noted, underscoring the improvement from prior administrations.
Reflecting on former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s leadership, he highlighted that the distribution of textbooks and basic school resources had been prioritized, contrasting with the prior scarcity. “Back then, even chalk for teachers was hard to come by,” he added, pointing out that infrastructure, teachers, and resources are essential to effective education.
Under the NPP, over 3,000 new schools were constructed to support student learning. The government has also provided textbooks and recruited more than 100,000 teachers across all levels of education since 2008. This human capital investment has strengthened education, he remarked, saying, “NPP has done remarkably well in supporting our teachers and students.”
In addition, the NPP upgraded colleges of education from diploma to degree programs, a move that he said has modernized teacher qualifications and enhanced the value of teacher training. “Students no longer have to wait for months after graduation; now, results are released in a few weeks, allowing them to quickly proceed to licensing exams,” he said. This, he believes, positions Ghanaian teachers for international opportunities.
Regarding senior high school, he pointed to the introduction of free SHS as a milestone achievement. “As of 2016, school fees ranged between 7,000 and 8,000 Ghana cedis. Without free SHS, these fees could easily have reached 40,000 cedis today,” he said, questioning how many parents would afford such expenses.
He, who initiated the free SHS policy, increased contact hours between teachers and students from 900 to 1,084 annually, optimizing classroom use to accommodate the 3 million admitted students. Additional infrastructure has further reduced class sizes, accommodating about 1.8 million students.
He also praised the achievements of Ghanaian students in the West African exams, stating that of the 488 students across West Africa who achieved 8 A’s, 411 were Ghanaians. “This is a testament to the dedication of both teachers and students, despite challenges,” he added.
Finally, he emphasized the government’s expansion of universities to accommodate the increasing number of SHS graduates and highlighted the push for STEM and TVET education, which he called “the way forward for national development.” New schools have been established in areas like Kuntenase, Sewua, and Ayewaso as part of this vision.
Dr. Quarm concluded that these advancements signal the NPP’s commitment to Ghana’s educational progress and its future.
Story by: Joyce Owusu Danakwah
