Gbessebu locals are beginning to show keener interest in education, undoubtedly one of the several wins of Transformational Community Development (TCD) in the community. To demonstrate their interest, the community has donated a parcel of land to the Gbessebu TCD program for the construction of semi-permanent structures to replace the bamboo classrooms currently being used.

The newly reconstituted TCD Education Committee has a goal to upgrade the school and the quality of education the children are receiving. However, the committee has many hurdles to cross for this goal to be actualized. The teachers in the school are underqualified and cannot be included in the government payroll for this reason. Sadly, the community is unable to generate funds for payment of teachers’ stipends.

The teachers really need to enroll in a 3-year certificate program in education, but for them to pursue the certificate program and be able to continue to teach the children, the community has to fund their schooling. If the community is unable to do this, the teachers will have to stop teaching and work other jobs in order to be able to pay their tuition while working on their certificate.

Ngegba, our TCD worker, and the committee are currently brainstorming solutions to these challenges. In the meantime, they have embarked on a training program about the value of education, with the anticipated result of increasing school enrollment for school-age children from 60% to 100% in the upcoming academic year. We are looking forward to the improvement of education in Gbessebu village.

Thank you!

Written by Samson, GHNI Volunteer