Stakeholders in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region are concerned about the rising rate of school abandonment.
Many local children of school age have left school in quest of easy money through illegal mining (galamsey), while others, particularly females, become pregnant and enter into young marriages.
In addition to having an impact on children’s growth and development, the phenomena is raising the area’s illiteracy rate.
Mr. Godwin Abugbilla, an Ashesi University level 100 student, has started a mentoring programme in the district to assist children stay in school and improve their academic performance in an effort to combat the problem.
The “Students Activeness and Motivational Award Project (SAM AP)” initiative, funded by an Ashesi University grant, aims to give students access to sources of inspiration and mentoring activities.
As a result, they would be better able to maintain their concentration in class and study since they would understand the value of education to their growth and development.
Apart from parents emphasizing farming above their children’s education, Mr. Abugbilla, who is presently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Management Information System (MIS), stated that illicit mining in the region was forcing youngsters to drop out of school.
According to him, pupils do not value attending school to study; instead, they participate in illicit mining operations to get fast money, which puts pressure on the few who were still enrolled in school to also drop out.
When he got home, he discovered that the majority of pupils were quitting school, and many had linked this to a lack of drive, a lack of mentoring, and the fact that some parents were pressuring their kids to quit school so they could earn quick money from gambling and galamsey.
Mr. Abugbilla pointed out that the initiative was intended to mentor children through quiz contests and instruction on entrepreneurship, among other things, to inspire pupils in the region to recognize and value the importance of education.
He said that the initiative, which began with a quiz competition between four junior high schools, will continuously offer advice to children in the region on their choice of courses and potential careers.
He said that it was also anticipated via the project that students, particularly females, would have the confidence to refrain from actions that might result in unintended pregnancies and early child marriages.
The Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in particular, as well as some of the other activities, “will assist pupils to acquire academic resilience and excellence,” the professor continued.
Mr. Abugbilla thanked the Ashesi University for supporting the initiative and urged parents to support their children’s education as the surest method to foster growth and the eradication of poverty.
“Anything you may believe or want is feasible, and it is within you to make it possible,” he told the children.
The principal of Kpantarigo JHS, Mr. Pius Agbango, praised Mr. Abugbilla’s efforts to improve the situation in the neighborhood and urged the pupils to work hard in class and abstain from social vices.
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