Photos: Dr. Apaak, Jacobs Foundation tour New Gbawe Cluster of Schools

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, led the Jacobs Foundation Board and its Chief Executive on a visit to the New Gbawe Cluster of Schools to assess teaching and learning.

The visit, held on Wednesday, allowed the Swiss-based charitable foundation to observe at close range how its support is impacting one of its beneficiary schools in Ghana.

Members of the delegation toured classrooms, interacted with pupils and teachers, and sat in on lessons to observe teaching methods and student engagement.

In a social media post after the tour, Dr. Apaak said the Foundation was keen on “seeing firsthand how teaching and learning are progressing” at the New Gbawe Cluster of Schools. He noted that the visitors were impressed by what they observed in the classrooms.

“They took time to sit in class, observe lessons, and engage with both learners and teachers. The level of commitment and quality on display stood out,” he stated.

Following the classroom interactions, the delegation held a meeting with teachers, with district education officials also in attendance.

According to the Deputy Minister, the engagement provided space for open discussion on classroom practices, challenges facing teachers, and practical ways to further improve learning outcomes.

“The interactions were open and fruitful, and they reinforced the importance of continuous support for our teachers,” Dr. Apaak stated.

The school visit came a day after the Jacobs Foundation paid a courtesy call on Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who praised the Foundation for its substantial investments in Ghana’s education sector.

Dr. Apaak referenced the Vice President’s comments, saying the government values partnerships that deliver measurable improvements in teaching and learning.

Established in 1989, the Jacobs Foundation is dedicated to improving learning and development opportunities for children and young people globally. It focuses on funding high-quality research, promoting evidence-based education, supporting innovative policies, and working with partners to translate research findings into effective classroom practice.

Ghana is among the Foundation’s key partner countries, alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Colombia, and Switzerland.

Over the past four decades, the Foundation has played a significant role in bridging the gap between scientific research on learning and real-world application. Dr. Apaak stressed that such collaborations are critical to empowering future generations, adding that “partnerships like this continue to make a real difference in our schools and communities.”