By Kodjo Adams 
Accra, July 10, GNA – Tamale International Basic School has won the maiden Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP) National Schools Awards for outstanding performance.
The awards recognised schools that demonstrated excellence in learning outcomes, teaching, leadership and school improvement under the GALOP initiative.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, announced the winners at the awards ceremony in Accra and commended the schools for their achievements.
Tamale International Basic School received three laptops, science sets, a set of stationery, an HP printer and a plaque.
Bechem Presby “B” Basic School placed first runner-up, while Dedenya D/A Basic School was second runner-up in the overall awards.
In the Teaching and Learning category, Tamale International School won the top award, followed by Daboase D/A Basic School and Bronyibiman M/A Basic School as first and second runners-up respectively.
Daboase D/A Basic School won the Leadership and Management category, with Tamale International Basic School placing first runner-up and Pokukrom Islamic Basic School second runner-up.
Abofrem Anglican KG/Primary School received the award for the Most Improved School.
All 20 participating schools received six science sets, stationery and products from Trillium Industrial Limited.
The awards ceremony is an initiative of the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) under the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP), a partnership between the Government of Ghana and the World Bank to improve foundational literacy, numeracy and teaching quality in 10,000 low-performing basic schools.
The event was held on the theme: “Resetting Education for Improved Learning Outcomes.”
Mr Iddrisu urged the award winners to sustain their performance to improve learning outcomes across the country.
He said the awards marked an important milestone in Ghana’s efforts to strengthen the quality of basic education.
“It provides an opportunity to recognise schools that have demonstrated measurable improvement through commitment, innovation, and effective leadership, while reaffirming the government’s resolve to ensure that every Ghanaian child has access to quality education,” he said.
The Minister said the Government remained committed to strengthening foundational learning, improving institutional quality and promoting effective school leadership.
He said GALOP continued to play a critical role in advancing that agenda through targeted interventions in schools requiring the greatest support.
Mr Iddrisu said implementation evidence showed that meaningful improvements in learning outcomes could be achieved when interventions were guided by data.
He commended the World Bank and other development partners for supporting the implementation of GALOP.
“I commend NaSIA, the Ghana Education Service, and all stakeholders whose collaboration continues to strengthen education delivery in Ghana,” he said.
Prof Tahiru Salifu Azeko, Inspector-General of Schools at NaSIA, said the awards were instituted to recognise, celebrate and promote excellence across Ghana’s pre-tertiary education sector.
He said the awards sought to strengthen a culture of quality, accountability and continuous improvement by recognising schools that demonstrated outstanding performance, innovation and measurable progress in school improvement.
Prof Azeko said NaSIA intended to mobilise support from corporate institutions to expand the awards to both public and private schools and provide winners with furniture, ICT facilities and science laboratories.
Madam Rita Wepea, Headmistress of Tamale International School, thanked the organisers for the recognition and pledged that the school would work harder to sustain its performance.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Kodjo Adams