Boarding schools are a colonial legacy, Ghana needs quality local day schools – Prof Stephen Adei

Former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Prof Stephen Adei, has criticized Ghana's dependence on boarding schools as a remnant of colonial times and advocated for increased investment in high-quality day schools within local communities. During an appearance on JoyNews, Prof Adei explained that the boarding-school model was established during the colonial era when mission schools and government institutions aimed to train a limited number of individuals for specific roles.

He argued that the current system does not accurately reflect what Ghana needs, especially as other nations typically provide secondary education within students' communities. "Boarding schools are a colonial legacy," Prof Adei stated, contending that Ghana should concentrate on constructing well-equipped day schools in local areas.

According to Prof Adei, the quality of education should not be contingent upon students' access to one of the country's prestigious boarding schools. He cited his experience at a school in his village, where investments in educators, infrastructure, and technology had led to commendable academic achievements. "The emphasis is on the teacher," he emphasized, advocating for teachers to receive adequate housing and resources, including internet connectivity, in local schools.

Prof Adei cautioned against a sudden dismantling of existing boarding schools. Instead, he proposed a phased transition while simultaneously creating high-quality day schools that can offer students robust educational opportunities within their communities. His suggestion comes as there is growing discussion around Ghana's secondary education system, particularly apprehensions about the strain on limited spots in popular boarding schools and the challenges families encounter in securing placements for their children.