GIRL CHILD EDUCATION AT THE PRE-TERTIARY LEVEL IN THE BUNKPURUGU/YUNYOO DISTRICT; ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the issues, challenges and find the way forward for female education at the pre-tertiary level of education in the Bunkpurugu Yunyoo District. To achieve this objective, the descriptive research design was employed to collect data from 153 respondents using questionnaire, interview schedule and interview guide. The study found that lack of parental care and encouragement of females at home by fathers is a critical factor affecting female education in the area. Rather, it is mothers that are more responsible in taking care of their female wards at home. In this regard, whereas majority (57.3%) of the mothers' care for their female wards at home, only a few (32.7 %) of the fathers do same. The study also revealed high parental preference of male education to female education. The study revealed low level of awareness of Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) and Capitation Grant among students and parents. Most female students at the pre-tertiary level in the District were ignorant about some educational policies in Ghana, particularly the Free and Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) and the Capitation grant policies as majority ((80.9%) of the female students have never heard of FCUBE. Campaign for female education (CAMFED) was the only found vibrant non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the District. It is the only NGO most (70.9%) of the respondents are aware of in the district, which suggests that it is widespread in the area. It is therefore recommended that community-wide education should be carried out by both the Ghana Education Office and Non-Governmental organisations like Camfed to educate parents, especially fathers, on the need to educate their girl-child.