GEN launches post COVID-19 survey on girls’ education in ER

Koforidua, June 5 GNA – The Girls Education Network (GEN) has launched post-COVID-19 effects on girls education survey in the Eastern Region.

The document re-examines the vision for girls’ education and provides a strategic framework for all stakeholders to be coordinated, and organized into a comprehensive push for girls’ education in the region.

The survey which focused on eight selected districts in the Eastern Region confirmed that even though the education sector, in general, suffered as a result of covid-19 impacts, the girl child was hard hit.

The increase in leisure hours at home coupled with a reduction in parents’ ability to support them fully due to reduced incomes makes them more vulnerable to social vices.

The districts are New Juaben North and South, Atiwa East and West, Okere, Akuapem North, Upper Manya krobo and Abuakwa North.

Madam Margaret Nsiah-Asamoah, Eastern Regional Director of education said apart from the loss of two academic terms, girls suffered the burden of having to cope with societal pressures leading to teenage pregnancies and school dropouts.

She, therefore, commended the GEN for the bold initiative for the survey and effective strategies to improve girls’ education and development in the area.

The Eastern Region GEN was formed to champion female education to ensure equitable female numbers to achieve higher education.

Mr Stephen Abarika, Eastern Region GEN president called on all stakeholders promoting girls’ education “to be more outcome-driven and not activity driven”.

“This will enable us to do things differently when we are implementing projects aimed at enhancing the total development of the girl child in the region”, he said.

He indicated that a proposal based on the findings was being developed to solicit for funding to undertake the recommendations of the survey.

GNA