Talensi: The Citizen-Led Actions for Educational Accountability and Responsiveness (CLEAR) Project is strengthening community participation in school management at Kaare in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Theresa Joy Atobiga, the Headmistress of Saint Joseph KG/Primary School at Kaare, whose school is a beneficiary of the project, testified to its impact, stating that the initiative had significantly improved community involvement in school activities and decision-making while also increasing pupil enrolment. Madam Atobiga made these remarks during a visit to the school by officials of the CLEAR Project and partner organisations from Benin to assess the impact of the initiative and explore ways to strengthen partnerships for education development.
However, she noted that infrastructure deficits, including inadequate classrooms and furniture, continue to affect the gains made, particularly in effective teaching and learning. The school currently has a population of 411 pupils, with the Basic Two class alone recording 82 learners, far exceeding the recommended pupil-teacher ratio by the Ghana Education Service. She observed that women were more actively involved in school activities than men and stressed the need for broader parental participation to enhance school management and promote the holistic development of pupils.
The delegation included officials from School for Life, YEFL-Ghana, Ghana Developing Communities Association, Mr. Sylvain Aloubani of DEDRA ONG, Benin, and Madam Pamela Agbozo of Social Watch Benin. As part of the visit, the delegation participated in an Open School Data session where parents and school authorities engaged in strategies to improve pupil welfare and school development. The team also held discussions with stakeholders at the Talensi District Assembly and participated in a radio programme featuring beneficiaries of the Girls Caucus initiative, where they highlighted the project's impact and advocated increased support for women and girls.
Mr. Zulyaden Amadu, the Programme Manager of School for Life, stated that the visit was to enable the partners to learn from implementation experiences in Ghana and identify best practices for replication in other countries. The CLEAR Project is being implemented by School for Life, YEFL-Ghana, and the Ghana Developing Communities Association, with funding support from the Global Partnership for Education through its Education Out Loud Programme. The project seeks to mobilise citizen groups to build their capacities to engage stakeholders in education to ensure responsiveness and accountability in addressing challenges affecting basic education delivery. It is currently being implemented in six districts across five regions in northern Ghana.
In the Talensi District, the project covers 10 communities, namely Sheaga, Kuleliga, Duusi, Yameriga, Wakii, Tongo-Boe, Kaare, Dapoore, Pwalugu, and Gbane. Key components of the project in the district include Community Journalism, Girls Caucus, GESI Champions, Parent-Teacher Associations, School Management Committees, and engagement with parents, community leaders, Fulbe communities, and other marginalised groups.
Madam Christiana Ayinezoya Azure, the Talensi District Director of the Ghana Education Service, commended School for Life and its partners for their advocacy and awareness creation on the importance of basic education. She described the organisation as a trusted partner in promoting education in the district and assured the benefactors of continued collaboration to address existing gaps.
Ms. Dorcas Yingura Zoogah, the Talensi District Field Officer for the CLEAR Project, said the initiative had amplified the voices of women and girls on key issues such as teenage pregnancy, school dropout, and girls engaging in illegal mining. She said the project had helped to reshape narratives around women's participation in community development while promoting inclusivity.
The team also visited the East Mamprusi Municipality in the North East Region, where key project interventions including Citizen Networks, Girls Caucus, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Champions, and Community Journalism initiatives are being implemented across 10 communities. The beneficiary communities in the area included Nyingari, Wundua, Timpela, Kolinvai, Gbintiri, Zarantinga, Namasim, Sakogu, Nanori, and Gbangu.
Ms. Pamela Agbozo of Social Watch Benin commended the implementors of the project, particularly its Community Journalism component. She said, 'It is very essential for information gathering and sharing, identifying issues affecting communities, and developing measures to address them.'