District Directors of Education from 14 selected districts in the Northern Region, have committed themselves to improve the falling standard of education in the area.
They have therefore laid down plans to be executed every year to reverse the situation especially in the deprived communities.
The directors made the commitment in Tamale on Friday when the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) a non-governmental organisation, engaged them in a dialogue to review its programmes of activities in the 14 beneficiary districts.
The meeting which was attended by 28 Girl Child Officers and Accountants was aimed at sharing understanding of CAMFED's programmes and
implementation strategies.
It also assessed the expectations and challenges about the programme in order to strengthen partnership and key educational priorities.
The Executive Director of CAMFED Mrs. Doleres Dickson said the organisation was interested in committing 90 per cent of its funding
directly to students to fulfil their academic pursuits and 10 per cent for administrative purposes.
"This is the most cost effective way of implementing. programmes to the vulnerable," she said. She expressed concern about the low deployment of female teachers in
the region and how it affects quality education and exposes girls to sexual exploitation.
Mrs. Dickson said CAMFED was receiving funding from the Big Lottery Fund of the UK to improve the psycho-social environment of schools.
She said the money was facilitating the improvement of the physical environment of schools by providing basic infrastructure such as water
tanks, washing basins, tables and chairs and supporting extra-curricular activities such as quizzes and debates for students.
The Executive Director said CAMFED was also improving the quality of teaching and learning by providing school resources such as textbooks,
teaching aids, exercise books and to improve parent's participation in school activities.
She said 36,000 children had benefited from CAMFED's programmes, 102 female teachers had received training, while 4,000 girls have been listed to be supported with a full bursary.
Mrs. Dickson said additional 4,609 children had been supported through philanthropic initiatives.