Contemporary Issues in Education (Short Notes Q&A)

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1. In the 2025 budget, how much was allocated to the Ministry of Education for that year?
   A. GH¢20 billion
   B. GH¢25 billion
   C. GH¢31 billion ✅ (CitiNewsroom.com)
2. Under the 2025 budget, which group of tertiary students were granted academic-fee waivers?
   A. All students
   B. International students only
   C. All first-year students in public tertiary institutions ✅ (CitiNewsroom.com)
3. Which fund had its cap removed in 2025 to allow for more financing of the Free SHS programme?
   A. DACF
   B. Capitation Grant
   C. Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) ✅ (graphic.com.gh)
4. In 2025, how much money was allocated to fund Free SHS under the budget adjustment?
   A. GH¢1.5 billion
   B. GH¢2.5 billion
   C. GH¢3.5 billion ✅ (graphic.com.gh)
5. By July 2025, the Ghana Education Service (GES) announced it had cleared arrears on which of the following grants?
   A. Free SHS stipend
   B. Teacher training allowance
   C. Capitation Grant for basic schools ✅ (Prime News Ghana)
6. What change was made to the capitation grant allocation in 2025 compared to 2024?
   A. It stayed the same
   B. It was reduced
   C. It increased from GH¢84 million to GH¢145.5 million ✅ (Ghana Education News)
7. Which policy concerning school structure was rolled back for 99 schools in 2025, according to GES?
   A. Boarding-only system
   B. Triple-shift system
   C. Double-track system ✅ (The Custodian Newspaper Online)
8. Which of the following benefits was increased per child under the School Feeding Programme after 2025 budget adjustments?
   A. Scholarship Grant
   B. Fee-waiver
   C. Feeding grant / capitation for feeding ✅ (Ghana Education News)
9. In 2025, how much was reportedly released for the School Feeding Programme as part of education funding reforms?
   A. GH¢500 million
   B. GH¢700 million
   C. GH¢895 million ✅ (Hot Digital Online)
10. Which major shift in teacher status occurred in 2025 under GES reforms?
    A. Teachers lost housing allowance
    B. Licensure exam became mandatory
    C. Diploma teachers with upgraded qualifications were placed on the Public Service salary scale ✅ (Hot Digital Online)
11. As part of reforms in 2025, which examination requirement was scrapped for teachers?
    A. BECE
    B. WASSCE
    C. Teacher-licensure examination ✅ (Hot Digital Online)
12. The 2026 budget announced a new programme — Ghana Secondary Learning Improvement Programme (GSLIP). What is its main goal?
    A. Build new universities
    B. Replace textbooks with tablets
    C. Upgrade infrastructure, end double-track, and improve school quality ✅ (The Business & Financial Times)
13. Which educational levels are targeted for massive school construction under the 2026 reforms?
    A. Only Senior High Schools
    B. Only Tertiary Institutions
    C. Kindergarten, Primary, and Junior High Schools (basic education) ✅ (univers.ug.edu.gh)
14. Under the 2025 reforms, which group’s schools are to receive a special GH¢65 million allocation from GETFund for improvement?
    A. Private schools
    B. Vocational schools
    C. Special-needs students’ schools ✅ (allAfrica.com)
15. Which new initiative was rolled out in 2025 to support girls’ attendance and retention in basic schools across Ghana?
    A. Free textbooks
    B. Laptop distribution
    C. Free sanitary pads nationwide ✅ (educationghana.org)
16. Which of the following was part of the 2025 funding and reform package for basic education according to GES?
    A. Launch of new sports programme
    B. Increase in tuition fees
    C. Timely release of academic calendars for basic schools ✅ (Hot Digital Online)
17. Which of these was included in the 2025 budget to help reduce overcrowding in SHSs under Free SHS?
    A. Reducing student intake
    B. Cut teacher numbers
    C. Increased funding for school infrastructure and elimination of double-track in many schools ✅ (The Custodian Newspaper Online)
18. What major problem in basic schools was addressed when all outstanding arrears of the Capitation Grant were cleared in 2025?
    A. Teacher shortage
    B. Student dropouts
    C. Lack of teaching/learning materials and school maintenance funds ✅ (MyJoyOnline)
19. Which statement about Free SHS is true based on the 2025 budget and reforms?
    A. It was discontinued
    B. It became fee-paying again
    C. It received a major funding boost through GETFund and the Free SHS programme ✅ (graphic.com.gh)
20. According to calls made in late 2025, how many new teachers were recommended to be deployed to basic schools in 2026 to improve staffing levels?
    A. 5,000
    B. 10,000
    C. 30,000 ✅ (Coleman Publications)

GES ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS (COMPREHENSIVE LIST)

GES & MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

GES – Ghana Education Service
MoE – Ministry of Education
MoF – Ministry of Finance
MoH – Ministry of Health
MoG – Ministry of Gender
GES–HQ – Ghana Education Service Headquarters
PS – Principal Secretary
CD – Country Director
DDE – Deputy Director of Education
DD – District Director
RDE – Regional Director of Education
DEO – District Education Office
REO – Regional Education Office
EO – Education Officer
CEO – Chief Education Officer

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CURRICULUM, EXAMS & QUALITY

NaCCA – National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
NACCA – National Council for Curriculum & Assessment (old spelling)
NIB – National Inspectorate Board (now NQA)
NQA – National Quality Assurance Authority
WAEC – West African Examinations Council
CSSPS – Computerized School Selection and Placement System
BECE – Basic Education Certificate Examination
WASSCE – West African Senior School Certificate Examination
NBSSI – National Board for Small Scale Industries
CSA – Continuous School Assessment
SBA – School Based Assessment
CBT – Competency Based Training
TLR – Teaching and Learning Resources
SBC – Standard-Based Curriculum
CBC – Competency-Based Curriculum
CCE – Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation

TEACHER MANAGEMENT & TRAINING

NTS – National Teaching Standards
NTC – National Teaching Council
COTVET – Council for Technical & Vocational Education and Training
TVET – Technical and Vocational Education and Training
SLT – School Leadership Training
INSET – In-Service Education and Training
CPD – Continuous Professional Development
TPD – Teacher Professional Development
HT – Headteacher
SMT – School Management Team
SISO – School Improvement Support Officer
SIC – School Improvement Coordinator
GTEC – Ghana Tertiary Education Commission
TTAG – Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana
UTDBE – Untrained Teachers Diploma in Basic Education
CoE – College of Education
PST – Pre-Service Teacher
BT – Beginning Teacher

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT

PTA – Parent Teacher Association
SMC – School Management Committee
SPIP – School Performance Improvement Plan
SIP – School Improvement Plan
SIC – School Implementation Committee
SDE – School Data Entry
EMIS – Education Management Information System
EMIC – Education Management Information Coordinator
HR – Human Resources
HRM – Human Resource Management
HRMD – Human Resource Management and Development
HRIS – Human Resource Information System
SP – Superintendent
BIC – Basic School Coordinator
SBM – School-Based Management
SIG – School Improvement Grant

WELFARE, BENEFITS & SERVICE CONDITIONS

GNAT – Ghana National Association of Teachers
NAGRAT – National Association of Graduate Teachers
CCT – Coalition of Concerned Teachers
GNATLAS – GNAT Ladies Association
SSNIT – Social Security and National Insurance Trust
PAYE – Pay As You Earn
CAP 30 – Pensions Act for Senior Public Officers
GOG – Government of Ghana (salary code)
COLA – Cost of Living Allowance
GHS – Ghana Health Service
HR – Human Resource
APW – Annual Performance Appraisal
SPA – Single Spine Pay Policy
FWSC – Fair Wages and Salaries Commission
ML – Maternity Leave
AL – Annual Leave
TL – Terminal Leave

FINANCE, ACCOUNTS & BUDGETING

IGF – Internally Generated Funds
GFE – Ghana Financial Establishment
GIFMIS – Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System
PF – Provident Fund
CPA – Cost Performance Analysis
DEO/DEBE – District Education Budget Estimates
GoG – Government of Ghana Funding

POLICIES, PROGRAMS & UNITS

GES–TVET – GES Technical & Vocational Education Division
SHEP – School Health Education Programme
SHS – Senior High School
KG – Kindergarten
JHS – Junior High School
BSC – Basic School Certificate
SPED – Special Education Division
CRDD – Curriculum Research & Development Division
SPED – Special Education Division
GES/SIC – School Improvement Coordinator
NEDCo – Northern Electricity Distribution Company
GES–ICTU – GES ICT Unit
FCUBE – Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education
SDG – Sustainable Development Goal
ESP – Education Strategic Plan
MDGs – Millennium Development Goals

CHILD WELFARE & COUNSELLING

G&C – Guidance and Counselling
CHRAJ – Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice
DOVVSU – Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit
CWO – Child Welfare Officer
SOP – Standard Operating Procedures

PROGRAMS & INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

USAID – United States Agency for International Development
UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund
JICA – Japan International Cooperation Agency
DFID – Department for International Development (UK)
KOICA – Korea International Cooperation Agency
GEF – Global Education Framework

ICT & DATA SYSTEMS

ICT – Information and Communications Technology
IT – Information Technology
MIS – Management Information Systems
LAN – Local Area Network
WAN – Wide Area Network
ICTU – ICT Unit
SIM – Subscriber Identity Module
SMS – Short Message Service

DISCIPLINE & ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION

DC – Disciplinary Committee
PAC – Public Accounts Committee
AC – Advisory Committee
BoG – Board of Governors
PTA – Parent Teacher Association
RC – Review Committee

What is the full name of the following acronyms?

• SEIP: Secondary Education Improvement Project

• ADEOP: Annual District Education Operational Plan

• UTTDBE: Untrained Teachers Diploma in Basic Education

• ARIC: Audit Report Implementation Committee

• GIFMIS: Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System

• IPPD: Integrated Personnel and Payroll Database

1. What is policy? Answer: It is a set of ideas or plan of what to do in a particular situation that has been agreed upon officially by a group of people, business entity or government.

2. What is an educational policy? Answer: A plan to solve educational problems or a plan to promote desired education objectives.

3. What is educational reform? Answer: A public policy that brings about major changes and guides the decisions and actions of government on education.

4. What are the three (3) main types of educational reforms?

• Radical: Breaking away completely from the past. (e.g., JSS replacing MSLC in 1987)

• Moderate: Not breaking away completely from the past. (e.g., 2007 reform changing JSS/SSS to JHS/SHS)

• Adhoc: Bringing a policy to solve a problem and withdrawing it after solving the problem. (e.g., fee-free rewriting of SSSCE in 1993)

5. What factors are considered in policy formulation? Answer:

1. The needs of the society

2. The needs of the individual

3. The resources for implementation

4. The strategies to be adopted for implementation

5. The support of the public

6. Whether the policy is feasible

7. Its impact on the people

6. What are the stages in educational policy formulation? Answer:

1. Identification of a problem at the grass root level

2. Agenda setting (objectives)

3. Developing policy proposals

4. Lobbying for political support

5. Legislation processes

6. Providing agency for implementation

7. Allocation of resources for monitoring and supervision

8. Evaluating policy performance to assess its impact on the people

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7. What are the main types of educational systems?

• Universal: Education for all

• Compulsory: Mandatory for all

• Inclusive: Equal access to education

• Democratic: Satisfies the people’s need

• Minimum Universal: Minimum level for all

8. What are the four main components of an educational system?

• The people: Pupils, teachers, etc.

• The content: The curriculum

• The structure: KG, Primary, JHS, etc.

• The physical structure: Classroom, libraries, etc.

9. Explain educational outcomes. Answer: Refers to achievements in terms of knowledge, skills, and values acquired at the end of schooling. May also be referred to as quality of education.

10. Explain the externalities of education. Answer: Refers to benefits that individuals and society derive from education/schooling.

11. What are the four (4) Ps that affect educational outcomes? Answer:

1. Politics of the country

2. Educational policies of the country

3. Educational programmes

4. Educational process

12. What are the main objectives of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE)? Answer:

1. Increasing access and participation

2. Improving quality of teaching and learning

3. Improving management efficiency

13. What were the social interventions during President J.A. Kufuor’s regime?

• Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP)

• School Feeding Programme

• Capitation Grant

• Supply of laptop computers to some schools

• TV sets for distance learning in some schools

14. What were the social interventions during President Prof. J.E. Atta-Mills’s regime?

• Supply of school uniforms to some pupils

• Supply of exercise books to some pupils

• Supply of laptop computers to some schools

15. What does the Capitation Grant take care of? Answer:

• Music, culture and sports fees

• Provision of teaching and learning materials

• Maintenance of office and classroom furniture

• General minor repair works

• In-service education and training

• Provision of assistance to brilliant but needy pupils

• Enrolment drive

• Management services

16. What are the major educational reforms in Ghana?

• The 1951 Accelerated Development Plan for Education

• The 1987 Education Reform (JSS Concept)

• The 2008 Educational Reforms (Act 778)

17. What are some highlights of the 2008 Educational Reforms?

• KG was made part of the mainstream to start from age four (4).

• Provides for a five (5) level structure (KG 2yrs, Primary 6yrs, JHS 3yrs, SHS 4yrs [later changed to 3], Tertiary 3-4yrs).

• TTC was upgraded to Colleges of Education to award DBE certificate.

• One-year apprenticeship for JHS graduates unable to proceed to SHS.

• GES to coordinate policies at pre-tertiary level.

• District Assemblies to manage pre-tertiary schools.

• Establishment of three autonomous bodies: NTC, NIB, NaCCA.
  

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18. What are the four corners/centers of the kindergarten classroom?

• Sandy corner/center

• Shopping corner/center

• Make belief corner/center

• Nature corner/center

19. What are the types of Transfer in GES?

• Inter–district

• Intra–district

• Inter–regional

20. What are the reasons for Transfer?

• Mandatory: For teachers who stay at one school or station for 10 years or more.

• Punitive: Disciplinary action (No transfer benefits).

• Request by the teacher: (No transfer benefits).

• In the interest of the service.