RITE FM PROJECTS
The District Education Observer Project
Socioserve-Ghana partnered Rite 90.1 FM in the implementation of the District Education Observer Project in the Yilo Krobo Municipality. The project was necessitated by the fact that standard of education especially at the basic level in the Municipality was low as 10 selected schools persistently obtained zero percent in their BECE examination.
It was also established that lack of commitment on the part of PTAs and SMCs in the management of their schools including monitoring of teachers’ attendance also contributed to the problem. Another major problem that called for this project is the low teacher attendance (regularity) that is persistent in the Municipality especially in the rural areas.
To avert the situation, the project came up with some innovative strategies such as the development of the school monitoring tracking sheet for SMC and PTA members as their capacities were built to regularly visit their schools and interact with teachers and pupils.
Reporters were sent to the project schools before school session begins to give live report on air (Rite 90.1FM) on what is happening in the project schools, time school begins, time teachers report to schools, number of pupils in the class etc. and this strategy kept teachers on their toes because they were being watched.
A radio platform was established on Rite 90.1FM dubbed “District Education Watch Platform” which was aired on every Friday between the hours of 9:00am to 10:00am where key stakeholders were brought together to discuss pertinent issues affecting education in the Municipality. Quarterly documentary was developed and shared on various social media platforms to highlight issues that militate against education and also shared best practices.
These strategies yielded magnificent results just within a period of one year. The 2014 BECE results indicated massive improvement in the 10 selected schools. Find below the 2014 BECE results vis a vis 2013 BECE results.
| School | 2013 BECE RESULTS | 2014 BECE RESULTS | |
| Brukum Agavanya M/A JHS | 0% | 33.34% | |
| Ahinkwa M/A JHS | 0% | 100% | |
| Sutawa Basic School | 0% | 85.72% | |
| Samlesi M/A JHS | 0% | 80% | |
| Wurapong M/A JHS | 0% | 95.24% | |
| Aboabesease R/C basic school | 0% | 92% | |
| Aboa-Osuboninya R/C school | 12.5% | 35.72% | |
| Akapamu RC basic school | 0% | 100% | |
| Akorwubana & Obusumasua | 0% | 100% | |
| Akorley M/A School | 0% | 31.25% | |
| OVERALL PERFORMANCE | 47.52% | 83.99% |
Teacher absenteeism with the project schools have reduced drastically, there is now improved permission seeking behaviour. Teacher now write letters seeking permission to be absent from school unlike previously where teacher leave post without being granted permission.
Teachers now submit their lesson notes on time to the extent that some schools now organise evening classes for their pupils which hitherto was not being done.
There has been increased awareness by communities including SMCs/PTAs on their role in managing the schools. For instance, in Aboa-Osuboninya community, the PTA has mobilized the community to construct a KG.
In Brukum Agavenya, the community provided sticks and wood to renovate a collapse school building. There have been increased actions from stakeholders as the 2009 National Best Farmer, Mr. Nene. Korboe a native donated 2 generators to two schools.
The MP for the constituency, Hon Lawyer Kofi Amoatey organised a capacity building workshop for SMC/PTA members. The Municipal Assembly together with the District Education Directorate conducts joint monitoring visits to schools.
The project was supported by STAR- Ghana with funding from EU, DANIDA, UKaid, and USAID.
Appreciation
We would like to thank the Yilo Krobo Municipal Education Directorate, Head teachers and teachers of all the 10 schools, chiefs and opinion leaders, students, the Municipal Assembly, the MP, and Mr. Nene Korboe for their guidance, support, monitoring and supervisory roles which helped to ensure the success of the project.
Follow the discussion on this project by clicking on the link below
https://www.facebook.com/pages/District-Educ-Watch-Prog-DEOP/492399507546044