Ghana doubles down on foundational learning through teacher training
Ghana is prioritising the training of more teachers in foundational learning as part of a broader strategy to improve literacy, numeracy, and children’s socio-emotional skills. Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Foundational Learning Action Tracker (FLAT) in Accra, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Clement Apaak reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the early years of education. He stressed that “if we get the foundation right, learning outcomes will improve,” signaling a systemic push to empower teachers as the central engine of student success.
What the FLAT brings to Ghana’s classrooms
The FLAT, a digital monitoring tool developed with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Hempel Foundation, is designed to provide real-time insights into progress across core foundational learning indicators. It focuses on five action areas: reaching every child and keeping them in school, assessing learning levels, prioritising the teaching of fundamentals, increasing instructional efficiency, and promoting psychosocial health and well-being. By tracking these elements, Ghana aims to accelerate improvements in literacy and numeracy while also supporting children’s social and emotional development.
Curriculum reform and teacher allocation
Dr Apaak highlighted that Ghana has reinforced its leadership in foundational learning by updating the country’s curriculum from Kindergarten to Primary Six. The reforms are intended to align teaching with contemporary needs and to ensure teachers have the skills required to deliver high-quality foundational instruction. The Deputy Minister emphasized that the most important resource in education is the teacher, and thus ongoing investment in teacher training is non-negotiable for positive outcomes.
Rural incentives and teacher welfare
In a bid to attract skilled educators to underserved areas, the government has introduced a series of incentives under the “Teacher Dabre” policy, launched by President Mahama in March. These measures include a 20% allowance for teachers in deprived communities, plans to build teacher accommodation units in rural areas, and a commitment to include teacher housing in all new basic schools. Such efforts are designed to motivate teachers to accept postings in rural locations and to remain in their posts long enough to raise educational outcomes for local learners.
Global context and local impact
UNICEF’s Global Director for Education and Adolescent Development, Dr. Pia Rebello Bristol, noted that FLAT provides a framework for monitoring progress against foundational learning commitments. The framework concentrates on ensuring every child is reached and retained in school, and on regular assessments of learning levels, while also prioritising the teaching of fundamentals and the development of students’ psychosocial health. The 2025 findings, which draw on data from 124 low- and middle-income countries, indicate that while many nations maintain momentum, the pace of progress must accelerate to ensure all children are learning.
What the data suggests for Ghana
Across many countries, learning poverty remains a pressing challenge. The World Bank has warned that inadequate learning outcomes could cost economies a significant portion of future GDP due to a less skilled workforce. Ghana’s leadership in foundational learning signals a determined attempt to turn the tide by equipping teachers with better training, resources, and incentives. This approach aligns with broader development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals, by improving literacy and numeracy outcomes that underpin lifelong learning and economic growth.
A call to action for sustained investment
Anders Holm, Chief Executive Officer of the Hempel Foundation, underscored the necessity of moving from policy commitments to concrete action. He urged governments to invest in training more teachers and to translate stated commitments into tangible results for students. With FLAT and related reforms in place, Ghana hopes to create a robust foundation for learning that can propel children toward brighter educational and life outcomes.
Author bio note: This report reflects statements from government and UNICEF officials at the FLAT launch and summarizes the ongoing policy shift toward foundational learning in Ghana.
