Civil society organizations (CSOs) working in the education sector in the northern region have come to agreement that the only solution to address the furniture deficit in public basic schools is through a common platform. The CSOs agreed to set up what they called a “furniture bank” to tackle the worrying situation. The move initiated by Action Aid Ghana is expected to attract interested organizations and individuals with an interest in the education sector in the region.
Delivering their solidarity messages at a day’s regional forum on the furniture deficit in public basic schools in the northern region, the CSOs stated that children’s rights to classroom furniture are as important as their rights to anything else. The r
Regional Education Forum organized by ActionAid Ghana had the theme “Complementing the Government’s efforts to address the furniture deficit in public basic schools in Ghana.” Among the CSOs are World Vision, SEND-Ghana, Children Believe, Right to Play, NNED, and School for Life, among others, who came to the conclusion that, from all indications, the government cannot provide adequate furniture to public schools as budgetary allocations to the sector continue to dwindle.
NGOs, they observed, need to complement government efforts as they have been doing in order to save the children being denied their right to education. Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Right to Play, Kusumi Ibrahim, revealed that they have been supporting the government in providing furniture to three districts and have so far distributed over 200 pieces of furniture to schools in the selected districts.
Programs Manager at Children Believe, Samuel Sarpong, described the furniture situation as now a human rights issue because no one can work comfortably without proper furniture, and children should not be left out. Mr. Sarpong revealed that in Yendi Municipality alone, we need over 19,000 dual desks for both the lower and upper levels. Children believed him when he said that because of the situation, a plan to provide 1,000 dual desks would be made. He also suggested that age-appropriate furniture be provided to the schools, not just any furniture, to make the school environment friendly for effective learning to take place.
Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 17 United Nations 2015 development goals focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The goal supports the reduction of disparities and inequities in education, both in terms of access and quality. Here are some of the CSOs speaking.
Source: Mohammed Ibrahim Head of ZaaNews