Let’s prioritise outcomes over processes to break barriers, create opportunities – Education Minister

“We need as a nation to be focused on outcomes and not processes. When we focus on the outcomes, we are able to break barriers and create opportunities for all,” that was what the Minister of Education told graduates at Jackson University College, Mississippi.

Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum asserted that in a results-driven country, citizens evaluate individuals based on their achievements rather than their educational backgrounds.

He encouraged graduates to be resolute in their efforts to cultivate the next African Einstein. With determination, they will maximise their experiences with children.

Speaking at the Jackson University graduation ceremony, themed “Inspiring Futures, Empowering Lives: The Transformative Power of Distance Learning,” he urged Ghanaians to foster greater unity in the nation’s development.

“We cannot have two Ghana. Ghana for the rich, Ghana for the poor. I foresee a day where the children of judges and labourers will sit in the same classroom. And they will study together. We create a more united nation – a more united country.

“The labourer’s son may visit the judge’s son on his birthday. See where the judge lives and say to himself, one day I want to be a judge. That is the country we need to create. That is the country I see us creating. And that is where we have begun,” Dr Adutwum said.

The Education Minister noted that it’s often convenient in Africa to blame challenges on poverty. However, he, believes that what is truly lacking is a vision for progress. He emphasised that the government is committed to improving the working conditions for teachers and striving for better outcomes.

“In the second week of November, we’ll commission 80 schools…. across the country. We want teachers to wake up in the morning and can’t wait to get into their classrooms because their classrooms are better.

“And their classrooms should be, schools should be the best building in any town or village. And that is the vision that I am executing.”

Dr. Adutwum stated that the government is working to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning to ensure that both teachers and students receive the best possible experience.

“We, as a government, have decided that we’ll change your work environment and do better. We are transforming a number of KG classes. I’m sure you love to be in a school like this.

“The children are just simply happy to be there. And these are KG buildings. A number of them have been built across the country. And we are equipping them.”

Dr Adutwum acknowledged that the government may not have met all of Ghanaians’ expectations or fulfilled every vision they had. However, he emphasised that they have not fallen short in the area of education.

“We may have fallen short in several areas, but I can tell you in education, we have not fallen short. Our government did not promise the transformation of public schools as part of our manifesto.

“But when we stepped in and did the free senior high school, we decided to transform public schools. We do things that we did not promise because it’s the right thing to do.”

“And I want you to know this. In the area of STEM, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and education, great strides have been made by this country.

“And I look forward to getting the application from Jackson to do STEM education, a bachelor’s degree in STEM education.

“Now that we’re getting schools that are equipped with STEM equipment, it makes sense to educate the teachers who can teach in that environment.”

The Principal of Jackson University College, Mrs. Theodosia Jackson, encouraged graduates to persist in their pursuit of knowledge and find their own unique ways to contribute to the country’s development.

“Your future contributions are crucial in addressing the pressing issues of our time, from environmental concerns to the development of alternative energy sources,” she said.

She encouraged them to hold the Jackson philosophy dear to their hearts. “The philosophy of taking up teaching roles in deprived and rural areas is not just a duty, but a noble cause.”

A total of 1,276 students graduated after successfully completing various programs, including a Bachelor of Education in Upper Primary, Early Grade, and JHS-French.

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