Contributions of world vision Ghana in support of basic education in rural Ghana: A case study of the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District

Abstract

This study was designed to find out the contributions of World Vision Ghana (WVG) to the development of basic education in the Twifo Hemang-Lower Denkyira District (THLDD) in the Central Region in Ghana. The study involved a sample of 469, comprising 24 district education officials, 10 DEOC members, 24 headteachers, 13 staff of WVG (Twifo ADP), the head of education and capacity building - WVG, 48 child welfare service officers (CWSO), 120 parents and 240 community members. The questionnaire, interviews, focus group discussions and observation were the main instruments employed to collect data for this descriptive survey. A return rate of 100% was achieved for the questionnaires administered. The main methods used in analyzing the data were frequency and percentage distributions. The major findings were that WVG has to a large extent contributed to improvement in teaching and learning, efficiency in school management and increasing access and participation at the basic level of education in the district through training, and the provision of school facilities. Another major finding from the study is that 60% of all the support given to pupils in basic education goes to the girl child to encourage girl child education. From the study, it is found that WVG has been successful in its efforts at HIV/AIDS education at the basic education level through sensitization by the various club formed by WVG and their positive activities. WVG has also contributed to the moral development of the pupils in their various community-schools through the he activities of the GOOD NEWS clubs formed by WVG. In addition nutrition and sanitation has improved in the environment at the school and in the community at large through the activities of the nutrition and sanitation clubs. Above all the study indicated that WVG projects experiences problems such as bad roads, unfavourable seasons, apathy on the part of community members and financial constraints. It was realized from the study that the WVG has provided teachers accommodation in some communities on the whole; however, in the perception of communities, this effort is not adequate. It is therefore recommended to WVG to consider accommodation for teachers in their future plans.