Government urged to increase Non-formal Education budgetary allocation

PAMOJA Ghana, a network of Non-Formal Education Practitioners, has called on government to increase the Non-Formal Education (NFED) budgetary allocation to at least six per cent of the Education Sector Budget.

Francis Gyan Adjei, a Leading Member of PAMOJA Ghana, said the Network was hopeful that government and policy makers would pay more attention to the Non-Formal Education Sub-sector that concerns itself with life-long learning, and the acquisition of employable, technical, vocational, apprenticeship and digital skills.

Speaking at a news conference in Accra, Dr Adjei, who is also a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Adult Education Resource Studies, University of Ghana, said Non-Formal Education was not limited to Adult Literacy.

He said PAJOMA Ghana believed that if training outside the classroom or school system was neglected; bodies like the Unemployed Graduate Association of Ghana would continue to expand.

Dr Adjei said the group was, therefore, urging education policy makers to see the sector as providing a complementary role for skills development in the country.

“The youth of today do not need nice certificates only, they should be able to practice what they learn for their own development and the nation’s development,” he added.

Mr Adjei said the Network was also expected to contribute to developing a clear policy on Non-formal Education for Ghana.

The policy would indicate to development partners, Civil Society Organisations and all stakeholders the direction which government intends to use.

It would also help to work towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goal 4, which seeks to ensure equitable and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

He urged policy makers to ensure the total decentralisation of the structures of NFED by making it a part of the Local Government structure to ensure it met the real and specific learning need of the local population.

Mr Matthew Atinyo, the National Coordinator, PAJOMA Ghana, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the Network was happy with the Government’s realisation that there was need to be a change; particularly starting the agenda by calling NFED as the Alternative Education Agency.

“The occasion is used to remind ourselves of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society,” he said.

This year’s theme is ‘Literacy and skills Development; Focusing on Youth and Adults within the Lifelong Learning Framework.

Source: GNA

 

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