A Mindset Revolution

Dear Lead For Ghana Community,

Welcome to this week’s edition of Briefings From Lead For Ghana. Here’s what to expect:

1. Student Spotlight - Bishaws Saliu: Inspired To Transform Society
2. Fellow Spotlight - Shamsiyatu Murtala: Finding Her Voice; Finding Theirs
3. Alumni Spotlight - Peter Sewu: The Power of a Mindset Shift
4. Passion Sprint - Help complete Kwapong R/C Junior High School’s ICT lab project.

Empowering Futures: Bishaws Saliu - Inspired To Transform Society

This week, we meet Bishaws Saliu, a shining example of the life-changing impact Lead For Ghana has on its beneficiaries. Bishaws, now a student at the University of Education Winneba studying Social Studies, partly credits the Fellowship with not only his academic success but also his personal growth.

Bishaws encountered Lead For Ghana Fellows in 2018 while in Tamale at Lamashegu M/A Junior High School. Despite being a transfer student, Bishaws quickly bonded with the Fellows. He fondly remembers Mr. Lolo, who encouraged him to write letters to a pen pal abroad, a practice that significantly improved his communication and writing skills, significantly impacting his grades in the subject.

The Fellows' dedication extended beyond academics. Bishaws highlights their genuine care for students, including involving them in activities and fostering a positive learning environment. This support system proved invaluable, preparing Bishaws for his BECE exams and leaving a lasting impression.

Inspired by the Fellows, Bishaws decided to pursue higher education, studying Social Studies at the university. He believes this field equips him to understand and effectively address the evolving challenges society faces. Bishaws's journey reflects the power of mentorship. Wanting so much to be like the Fellows who mentored him, he had no choice but to pursue higher education, mirroring their path. This silent aspiration fuels his determination to excel.

Looking back, a particular memory stands out for Bishaws – winning an inter-school quiz competition. This victory, his first trophy for the school, solidified his sense of belonging and the positive impact teamwork can have. Although he was a transfer student, he was still given the opportunity to participate in the quiz, building a stronger bond with his new colleagues and giving him a chance to shine.

From a student empowered by dedicated mentors to a future changemaker, Bishaws embodies the fellowship program's vision for a brighter Ghanaian future. He desires to join the fellowship in the future as a way to "transform society for the better", a testament to the ripple effect Lead For Ghana creates.

Fellow Spotlight: Shamsiyatu Murtala - Finding Her Voice; Finding Theirs

During the first year of Shamsiyatu Murtala’s fellowship at Denyase D/A Primary, a disquieting realization dawned on her. Her students, brilliant and full of potential, mirrored a struggle she knew all too well – the fear of expression, the tremor in their voices when faced with the prospect of speaking up. It was a reflection staring back at her, a glimpse into her past battles.

Once a student herself, tongue-tied and avoiding eye contact during presentations, she was reminded of her transformative journey - from a student who yearned to disappear into the background to the Fellow standing before them. But in their hesitant gazes, she saw a flicker of hope, a yearning for a voice, a confidence yet to bloom.

That's when she realized this wasn't just about teaching – it was about igniting a fire within them, a passion for communication that transcends rote learning. Drawing inspiration from her growth journey, she embarked on a mission to create a space where her students’ voices could not only be heard but celebrated.

Week five marked the turning point. She introduced group activities and presentations to her classroom, weaving them into the curriculum seamlessly.?Discussions became opportunities for them to explain their findings, not just to their teacher, but to their peers. Lessons morphed into debates, where they championed different perspectives, their voices growing stronger with each argument.

The initial awkward silences have given way to tentative questions and enthusiastic discussions.? Shy nods transformed into confident hand-waving, a silent plea for the chance to share their thoughts.? The presentations, once dreaded ordeals, have become showcases of their burgeoning knowledge and newfound confidence.? Their words, no longer hesitant whispers, flow with newfound clarity, their eyes sparkling with the joy of expression.

The transformation isn't just in their communication skills.? Their class participation has soared as well, with a 50% increase in engagement. They now tackle challenges with a newfound zeal, unafraid to ask questions, to challenge, and to learn.? Their once hesitant smiles have become beacons of pride, a testament to the power of finding their voice.

Alumni Spotlight - Peter Sewu: The Power of a Mindset Shift

Remote communities, lacking basic amenities like running water and electricity, hold little appeal for teachers. This is the kind of community Peter Sewu Narh grew up in and had his foundational education.? The community school also lacked infrastructure and had to combine two, and sometimes three classes thus making students cycle two to three grades in a single classroom. Peter’s basic education was far from ideal, and so in 2002 when a new DCE renovated the school with much-needed additional classroom blocks and posted a young crop of enthusiastic teachers, there was a wave of evident change across the community.

Peter, with his partial fluency in English, found himself acting as a guide, introducing these newcomers to the community. This simple act blossomed into a beautiful network of friendships and mentorships. Peter, inspired by these dedicated educators, witnessed his own batch become the first to send a handful of students to senior secondary school. The impact these teachers had, the positive change they ignited, left an indelible mark on Peter. He knew he had to pay it forward.

Throughout his university years, Peter nurtured his passion for education through community outreach projects. He rallied university graduates to his community to organize workshops, sensitizing parents about the importance of higher education and igniting a spark of ambition within the students themselves.? Following his undergraduate and graduate studies, Peter's path converged perfectly with the Lead For Ghana Fellowship Program. It felt like a destined continuation of his mission – to empower communities through education.

In 2021, Peter started his fellowship journey at Krachi Senior High School (SHS) in Krachi West. The echoes of his own experience resonated within the school walls. Many students struggled to name even a single Ghanaian university. He decided that his capstone project would take a different approach, focusing on a mindset shift for his students and community. He, along with his colleagues, implemented a monthly program where they addressed thematic areas crucial for the students' development. This initiative aimed to cultivate a growth mindset, fostering a deeper understanding of education's role in shaping their futures.

Beyond the shift in mindset, Peter was also very dedicated to the academic improvement of his students. He began his fellowship by teaching science in two home economics classes and one visual arts class. After only one week, word got out about the new science teacher’s exceptional way of teaching science, with other classes clamoring for his expertise. By the end of the first term, his students’ performance in science had skyrocketed. More importantly, a palpable enthusiasm for learning permeated the classrooms. Peter readily expanded his reach, his passion for student success proving contagious.

His dedication extended beyond curriculum hours. He began offering early morning sessions for students preparing for the WASSCE exams.? What started with a small group of five classes ballooned to eleven – a testament to his impactful methods and unwavering commitment. It's no surprise that the school's science pass rate surged from a mere 26% to a phenomenal 96%.? The impact was undeniable, with many students who once lacked direction now actively pursuing higher education with many securing admission to nursing schools, teacher training colleges, and other institutions. The outpouring of emotion when Peter's fellowship concluded is a powerful illustration of the profound change he had ignited.? The school's headmaster was even purported to have lobbied the CEO of Lead For Ghana to extend Peter's stay, recognizing the invaluable influence he had on the student body.

However, Peter's vision extended beyond the walls of Krachi SHS. Now, as a Research and Innovation personnel at Lead For Ghana, he aspires to establish the organization's research department as the premier education research institution in Ghana, renowned for producing high-quality research that contributes significantly to the field of education. He envisions a future where Lead For Ghana is consistently publishing articles in esteemed peer-reviewed journals, with research findings being frequently cited and referenced by scholars, policymakers, and practitioners, shaping education policy and practice in Ghana and beyond. Some of the initiatives he’s spearheading in the department include exploring school culture and its impact on student performance in underserved communities and researching the perceptions of school management and teachers regarding Lead For Ghana's Fellowship Program and its impact, and how their perceptions impact the success of the Fellowship Program.

Peter remains a constant source of support for his former students, actively assisting them with applications and securing funding for their tertiary education. His future aspirations lie in academia, looking forward to his continued contribution of his research expertise to empower students and transform underserved communities, as well as pursuing a Ph.D. to become a lecturer sharing his knowledge and inspiring future generations of educators.??

Peter Sewu Narh's story is a powerful reminder that a single individual, armed with passion and the right tools, can make a world of difference.? His unwavering dedication continues to empower students and transform communities, one inspired mind at a time.

Education News In Africa

Ghana: Regulate use of honorary doctorate titles - Deputy Education Minister to GTEC

Professor Kingsley Nyarko, the Deputy Minister of Education, has called on the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to enhance its efforts in regulating the use of doctoral titles in the country.

“While the attainment of an honorary doctorate degree is an honor and an achievement, it should not be prefixed to one's name. If the practice continues unchecked, it could diminish the pursuit of formal graduate studies. If obtaining a doctorate title is as easy as buying one, there would be little incentive to pursue rigorous academic study,” he emphasized. (Source: Graphic Online)

Tanzania: Experts: How technology can alleviate Tanzania’s teacher shortage

Participants of the Second China-Africa Forum on Science Education held at the University of Dar es Salaam on Friday, July 12, 2024, highlighted Tanzania's pressing educational challenges, notably the acute shortage of teachers and learning materials.

They proposed an approach involving policy reforms, substantial investment in digital infrastructure, and active community engagement. (Source: The Citizen)

South Africa: It’s time to recognize that parents are powerful actors in education

The new minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, is looking to make her mark in a department that has been run by Angie Motshekga since 2009.

To date, survey results tell us that not enough is being done to empower parents to be a part of their children’s education and hold schools accountable. If parents feel disempowered or don’t know their rights, we are unlikely to see shifts in education outcomes, because parental involvement is critical to their children’s success. (Source: Mail & Guardian)

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Passion Sprint

Kwapong R/C Junior High School is in need of support to complete its ICT lab project. The local Catholic church and community members have generously contributed resources and labor towards the construction of the lab. Lead For Ghana Fellows at the school have pledged six (6) computers to equip the facility. However, an additional twenty (20) computers are required to serve all students effectively. Your donation can help bring this project to fruition, significantly enhancing the educational opportunities for students at Kwapong R/C Junior High School. Donate to this valuable cause.

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