Some gender champions in the Nanumba south area are worried that the gradual weaning support from NGO’s for girls education, was affecting retention of girls in school.
The situation, has led to some girls dropping out of school, while others have become pregnant as a result of lack of support towards their education.
According to Memunatu Alhassan, a community volunteer at Nakpayili, the gradual withdrawal of educational support and scholarships, particularly for girls, and the slow down of adolescent and reproductive health interventions for girls, was having toll on formal education of many girls, since most parents couldn’t afford the cost of educating their wards, especially from Polygamous homes.
Speaking to Diamond news in an interview, during a recent tour, Memunatu Alhassan noted that, even though teenage pregnancy reduced significantly over the past few years,there could be an upsurge ifthe concerns were not well taken care off.
“We had a lot of NGO’s who were into the promotion of girl-child education in the past year, but same cannot be said now. Materials like books, pens, School uniforms, sanitary pads etc, were often provided to encourage high female enrollment”, Memunatu recounted.
“with the withdrawal of these support, we are witnessing a reverse, she further stated”.
Meanwhile, head of girl child education at the Nanumba south directorate of the Ghana education service, Madam Akumbisa Mary, speaking off tape said poverty was the underlying factor that was affecting the education of girls.
Madam Akumbisa, mentioned needs such sanitary pads, books, school uniforms, among others that if given to girls, would significantly contribute to an increase in female enrollment in school.
however, these became a challenge for many, since their families are unable to provide, and the girls too cannot afford them on their own
Source:diamondfmonline.com/Ibrahim Rafiu Dawuni
