Introduction
The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) is a leading education advocacy network. GNECC focuses on influencing government policymaking and development partners’ practices in education. When the government of Ghana launched a mechanism called the National Education Sector Annual Review (NESAR), it was observed that Ghanaian civil society was not a part of the mechanism. GNECC therefore lobbied the government for the inclusion of civil society organisations in NESAR, in particular, and for the participation of civil society in educational policy development processes, in general.
Process
With a Civil Society Education Fund (CSEF) grant, GNECC set up an annual Civil Society Education Sector Review (CSOESAR) with the aim of bringing civil society movements to prepare a contribution to the annual governmental review. GNECC supported its members across the country in conducting studies and surveys focused on the provision of education according to the education strategic plan. They started by training the members to participate in regional and district education sector reviews as well as in GNECC’s national monitoring and tracking initiatives.
A position paper highlighting issues, concerns, policy demands and recommendations was produced as a result of GNECC’s and its members’ efforts. The position paper was presented to the government as input for NESAR, and the paper was used as a resource during that governmental process. Members of GNECC were tasked with pushing the concerns and demands raised in the position paper during relevant meetings with the government
Outcome
GNECC utilised findings of its research, which revealed large numbers of girls dropping out in the final years of basic education in Ghana, to demand a comprehensive policy on education for women and girls, with specific provisions on the re-entry of girls who drop out of school. The findings were presented to the Ministry of Education and the ministry pledged to develop a Gender Education Policy, as part of the government agenda.
Due to GNECC advocacy efforts, there have been clear positive results in the educational system in Ghana. These results include the policy focus on gender and the protection of girls in school, expansion of the school feeding programme and the introduction of pro-poor policies such as free school uniforms, exercise books policy and free education for persons with disability from primary to tertiary level. Due to its inclusion in the education sector review processes, GNECC has also been able to actively advocate for an expansion in civil society’s role in policymaking process.
Contact of the Organisation
Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC)
Telephone: +233 (21) 521650
E-mail: info@gnecc.org
Source: Campaign for Education
Photo source: EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid
