Every classroom must deliver meaningful learning – Dr. Apaak charges school managers

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has urged school managers to ensure every classroom delivers meaningful learning as the government pursues reforms to improve educational outcomes nationwide.

Speaking at the launch of the National Schools Awards (NSA)–GALOP Edition in Accra on Wednesday, Dr. Apaak said resetting Ghana’s education system requires practical actions that improve teaching, strengthen school leadership and enhance learning for every child.

He stressed that the National Schools Awards, introduced by the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) under the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP), will promote continuous improvement and accountability across schools.

“Resetting education is not about rhetoric. It is about ensuring that every classroom delivers meaningful learning. It is about empowering teachers to succeed. It is about supporting school leaders to drive improvement. It is about creating environments where every learner can thrive. And ultimately, it is about achieving better outcomes for every child,” he said.

Dr. Apaak noted that while Ghana has made significant gains in expanding access to education, improving the quality of learning must now become the country’s overriding priority.

He said government remains committed to eliminating learning poverty, reducing inequalities in educational opportunities and ensuring that every child, regardless of location or background, has access to quality education.

“Our national challenge is clear: every child who enters a classroom must acquire the knowledge, skills, values, and competencies necessary to succeed in life and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he stated.

According to the Deputy Minister, the National Schools Awards will encourage schools to embrace innovation, improve instructional leadership and focus on measurable progress in learner achievement.

He said quality assurance and evidence-based decision-making would remain 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,” Dr. Apaak said.

He urged teachers, head teachers, education directors and other stakeholders to embrace the awards scheme and work collectively to build an education system that delivers meaningful learning, strengthens accountability and equips every learner with the skills needed to succeed.