Evelyn Abingde, the District Girls’ Education Officer for Talensi, has reported significant progress in girl child education compared to earlier times when only a few girls were enrolled in schools.
“Looking at the trend today, especially in my district, I can say there is a lot of improvement. We now see classrooms where there are even more girls than boys,” she stated in an interview on A1 Radio’s ‘Equal Voices’ on Sunday.
However, Ms. Abingde expressed concern about a ‘peculiar case’ where many boys leave school to engage in illegal mining activities, only to return and deceive girls with money, often leading to teenage pregnancies.
“My district has a peculiar case due to galamsey. Most boys leave for the galamsey sites, leaving the girls in the classrooms. Unfortunately, they make money, return to deceive our girls, and end up impregnating or marrying them,” she explained.
She noted that while the educational process is well-understood by students, continued advocacy is crucial. Abingde highlighted programs where role models are invited to share their success stories with the girls. “We invite successful individuals from other places to share their stories, and we believe these efforts are making an impact. Many girls are determined to succeed,” she added.
Ms. Abingde emphasized that while education is key to career success, girl child education is vital for managing and maintaining households in the future. “Educated individuals manage homes differently compared to those without education. An educated wife contributes significantly to home maintenance and supports the pursuit of higher levels of education,” she noted.
She also advocated for merging education with vocational training, arguing that this approach is more effective than solely focusing on trade.
Furthermore, Ms. Abingde stressed the importance of basic education for both boys and girls, stating that formal education from kindergarten through senior high school is essential for informed decision-making. “Formal education is crucial from the beginning. Every Ghanaian child should have at least a basic level of education, which now extends to secondary school. This foundation helps children make informed decisions about their future paths,” she said.
Addressing teenage pregnancy, Ms. Abingde observed that it is now common to see pregnant girls attending school. She noted that mockery of pregnant students has become rare. “We can say that 90 percent of girls who get pregnant continue their education. We encourage them to stay in school and sensitize other students to support them. We ensure they are not subjected to exceptional treatment but may be exempted from tasks like lifting heavy loads if necessary,” she concluded.
Source: a1Radioonline.com|101.1MHZ|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga|
