Kumbungu: The Female Empowerment and Advocacy for Development (FEAD Ghana), with support from the KGL Foundation, has organized a stakeholders' engagement in the Kumbungu District aimed at enhancing literacy outcomes and improving educational conditions for students.
According to Ghana News Agency, the engagement was themed 'Building on Progress: Co-creating the Future of Education in the Kumbungu District' and saw the participation of over 50 individuals. These included representatives from the Ghana Education Service (GES), Circuit Supervisors, headteachers, District Assembly Members, Parent-Teacher Associations, Civil Society Organisations, teachers, and students from project schools. The meeting aimed to galvanize community support for FEAD Ghana's LitLead+ Project, as well as to evaluate the current educational conditions and devise collaborative solutions to existing challenges.
Hajia Hikmat Baba Dua, Executive Director of FEAD Ghana, elaborated that the LitLead Project, which began last year, has evolved into the LitLead+ Project to more effectively address the needs of adolescents in the district. The first phase of this initiative established five safe-space clubs across various junior high schools, impacting 150 students. The project has shown significant improvements in literacy, leadership, and confidence among participants, with 80% of learners exhibiting enhanced reading, listening, and writing skills.
The project has also seen 60% of participants, particularly girls, taking on leadership roles within their schools after undergoing leadership training and mentorship. Furthermore, 75% of students reported heightened confidence in speaking in class and public forums. Additionally, 90% of teacher-mentors have adopted gender-responsive teaching methods and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) techniques following specialized training.
Hajia Dua also announced that FEAD Ghana has secured another year of funding from the KGL Foundation to further expand the project, focusing on literacy, leadership, and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). During the engagement, both learners and teacher-mentors from the project's initial cohort shared how the initiative has positively impacted their academic and personal lives.
Ms. Nasara Umar, a student from Kumbungu D/A JHS, shared her journey of overcoming self-doubt and building confidence through the project, which helped her secure the position of Senior Prefect at her school. Meanwhile, Madam Hanifa Fuseini, Northern Regional Girls Education Coordinator, praised the engagement as timely and underscored the necessity for collective stakeholder efforts to transform educational outcomes.
Mr. Nyee Mathias, Kumbungu District Public Relations Officer, GES, presented an analysis of the current educational challenges in the district. These include limited access to education, teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient resources. Mr. Mathias called for greater investment in infrastructure, teacher motivation, and community involvement to improve educational outcomes in the district.