The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for successful education interventions designed to keep children learning during emergencies to be expanded beyond pilot projects.
He said West African countries should move beyond testing small-scale solutions and instead expand programmes that help children continue their education when crises disrupt normal schoolingm
Speaking ahead of the second High-Level Conference on Scaling Education Initiatives in Emergencies, scheduled for September 29–30 in Accra, Mr Iddrisu pointed to Ghana’s experience with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Akosombo Dam spillage and the conflict in Bawku as examples of emergencies that have disrupted education.
He said such emergencies can force learners out of school, interrupt classroom activities and damage educational facilities.
According to him, education systems therefore need practical measures that can keep learning going even when emergencies occur.
The Education Minister also called for stronger and more sustainable funding to support education during emergencies.
He said adequate resources were needed to expand successful interventions and make them available to more children and communities.
Mr Iddrisu also urged West African countries to work more closely together by sharing ideas, expertise and innovative solutions to make their education systems better prepared for future disruptions.
The conference in Accra will bring together education leaders, researchers, innovators, financiers, academics and development partners to discuss practical ways of keeping children in school and ensuring that learning continues during emergencies.
