The second phase of the Quality and Inclusive Early Childhood Education Services for all Children (QAIECE 2) project has officially launched in Northern Ghana. This phase aims to enhance public kindergarten education opportunities, focusing on the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development of 122,249 children, including 59,226 males and 63,023 females, aged 4 to 5 years. The project will impact 30 communities in the East Mamprusi and West Mamprusi Municipalities of the North East Region.
Project Goals and Expected Achievements
Phase two of the project, co-funded by the European Union (EU) with a budget of €2.7 million, will focus on several key improvements. These initiatives include the construction of 10 fully furnished kindergarten classrooms, as well as facilities for water, sanitation, and hygiene. Additionally, 10,812 workbooks were distributed to pupils, digital equipment was provided to six target schools, and five boreholes were drilled. Additionally, 136 teachers will receive training on the new kindergarten curriculum and ICT. At the same time, 120 community facilitators will be trained to provide support in the target kindergartens.
The project also aims to develop a manual for managing and maintaining school facilities, train 285 school management committee and parent-teacher association members on their roles and resource mobilisation, and provide support for 224 vulnerable children.
A Strong Foundation for Early Childhood Education
Mr. Donghyun Lee, Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), emphasised that Phase 2 of the project builds on the success of Phase 1, which concluded last year. He expressed his commitment to the future of early childhood education in Ghana, noting that phase one had already improved kindergarten infrastructure, teacher development, and parental awareness—key pillars for quality learning environments. Phase two aims to expand access to quality education for children aged four to five years, with a focus on long-term impact and sustainability.
Addressing Challenges in the Region
Mr. Lee also highlighted the challenges that northern Ghana faces in providing quality kindergarten education, citing a research study that revealed a shortage of qualified early childhood education teachers. Of the 40 teachers in nine schools assessed, only seven had qualifications in early childhood education. This gap in trained professionals remains a significant issue, and phase two of the project seeks to address this by improving teacher training and resources.
The Importance of Early Learning
Madam Esenam Kavi De-Souza, Country Director of Children Believe Ghana, stressed the importance of early childhood education, emphasising that the early years provide a critical opportunity to lay a solid foundation for children’s future learning. She called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to prioritise early childhood education in their development plans. She urged the government to increase its budget allocation for early education.
Government and Community Support
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister for Education, expressed gratitude to the Korean Government for its financial support and reiterated the government’s commitment to improving early childhood education nationwide. He also appealed to development partners to continue supporting this crucial sector.
Mr. Ibrahim Tia, North East Regional Minister, acknowledged the gains made during the first phase of the project and promised to ensure that investments made in the second phase would directly benefit the targeted communities.
With these ongoing efforts, the QAIECE 2 project will continue to enhance educational opportunities for young children, improving their prospects and contributing to the overall development of northern Ghana.
