Parental Involvement in Education in Ghana

The government of Ghana introduced a new educational reform program in 1995 entitled "Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education" (FCUBE). This initiative represented an effort to boost education, yet many Ghanaian children still do not have access to basic education. Based on the information gathered from forums and conferences of heads of schools in the country, one can conclude that the few children who attend receive inadequate parental support. This problem is particularly prevalent in the rural areas of the country. The Weija community is no exception to this phenomenon. Although education was brought to the community's doorsteps, few parents provide adequate support for their children in school. The author of this study set out to understand parental perceptions, values, and attitudes toward education at the Hope International School. Participants of the study noted that an attitude that inhibits parents from supporting their children's education emanates from their belief that one should honor the dead rather than cherish life. They noted how many people in the community ignore daily needs of people,but then go to extreme lengths to honor the dead.

Autorentext

Anthony Kudjo Donkor is a Senior Lecturer and Vice-Dean, Faculty of Education, at the University for Development Studies, Ghana. The author has accumulated practitioner experience as a classroom teacher, and as a co-founder and director of an elementary school in Accra, Ghana to provide education and support to needy families and their children.