National School Awards: Schools to be judged on demonstrated results – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, says schools under the National Schools Awards will be assessed on measurable performance rather than reputation as government intensifies efforts to improve accountability in education.

Addressing the launch of the National Schools Awards (NSA)–GALOP Edition in Accra on Wednesday, Dr. Apaak said the initiative, introduced by the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) under the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP), is designed to recognise schools that demonstrate tangible improvements in teaching, leadership and learner achievement.

He said the awards programme reflects government’s commitment to building an education system where excellence is determined by evidence and continuous improvement.

“Recognition will therefore be based not on perception, but on demonstrated results. This aligns directly with Government’s commitment to data-driven reforms and targeted interventions that strengthen foundational literacy, numeracy, and overall learning outcomes,” Dr. Apaak stated.

According to him, the awards will provide a transparent framework for evaluating schools based on verifiable improvements in instructional leadership, teaching effectiveness, school management and learner achievement instead of public image or historical performance.

He stressed that the initiative is intended to foster a culture of accountability across the education sector while encouraging schools to pursue higher standards.

“It is about creating a culture where continuous improvement is valued, where innovation is encouraged, where accountability is strengthened, and where schools are motivated to pursue higher standards of performance,” he said.

Dr. Apaak explained that although Ghana has made significant progress in expanding access to education, the country’s priority has shifted towards ensuring every child receives quality education that delivers meaningful learning outcomes.

He also underscored the importance of quality assurance, saying it remains central to the government’s education transformation agenda.

“At the centre of these reforms is a simple but powerful belief: what gets measured gets improved. This is why quality assurance and continuous school improvement remain critical pillars of Ghana’s education transformation agenda,” he said.

The Deputy Minister commended NaSIA for strengthening quality assurance across the country’s schools and announced that government plans to expand the National Schools Awards beyond GALOP to cover all public and private pre-tertiary institutions, describing the move as part of efforts to build a fair, transparent and high-performing education system.