External Influences and the Educational Landscape [electronic resource] : Analysis of Political, Economic, Geographic, Health and Demographic Factors in Ghana /
Krauss, Alexander.author.
While the analysis is not the first to investigate empirically the effects of different individual or household factors on school access and completion of Ghanaians, it extends previous work by simultaneously incorporating individual, household, community, regional and national characteristics and also illustrates the latest evidence by applying international data sources and unusually detailed household survey data for a sub-Saharan country. Its focus is threefold: (i) gaining a richer understanding of which external influences hinder educational access and attainment in Ghana, (ii) how to better tackle these challenges and (iii) analyzing how educational development affects the country's overall development. An interview with the Minister of Education helps guide the policy orientation of the analysis by identifying several critical challenges and areas of needed policy attention. Findings from the data analysis indicate that the geographic divide between the North and South, increased economic growth, demographic pressure and a number of individual, household and community factors especially children's nutritional and labour status are the most important challenges in increasing levels of education among Ghanaians in years to come. Finally, the analysis pilots a new and comprehensive results- and capacity-focused policy matrix to help the Government of Ghana realign policy priorities and reform existing programs. To this end, respective policy levers on the demand- and supply-side are discussed, with particular reference to external and demand-side interventions which have not received the necessary attention at the policy-level to improve educational opportunities and outcomes at all levels.
Description based upon print version of record.
External Influences and the Educational Landscape; Acknowledgment; Contents; 1 Introduction; Problem Statement, Significance and Strategic Orientation; Research Methodology and Data; Conceptual Framework; 2 Political Environment: Stability, Public Spending and Policy; National Development Strategy and Education Policy; Educational Effects on Political Development in Ghana; Conclusion: Political Environment; 3 Macroeconomics: Skills, Diversification, Economic Structure and Growth; Interconnections Between Economic Growth and the Education Sector
The Economic Structure and Agricultural Dependency Helps Crowd Out Human CapitalConclusion: Macroeconomic Environment; 4 Geography and the Tale of Two Ghanas: The North-South Divide; The North-South Educational Divide; Rurality; Distance to School; Urbanisation and Population Density; Multifactor Educational Deprivation by Geographic Location; Conclusion and Policy Implications: The Geographic Isolation of the North; 5 Health Status of Children: Vulnerability and Educational Effects; The Complementary Nature of Health Status and Schooling; Fertility Rates; Malnutrition; Malaria; HIVAIDS
Water and SanitationComparison of Health Outcomes by Educational Level and Cost-Benefit Analysis; Conclusion and Policy Implications: The Intersectorality of Health and Education; 6 Economics of Education: Household Welfare, Poverty and Child Labour; Economic Background Characteristics: Effects on Access and Outcomes; Out-Of-Pocket Expenditure (Private Costs) for Education; Levels of Education: Effects on Income; Private and Social Rates of Return to Education; Child Labour; Regression Analysis on School and Labour Participation in Ghana: Establishing Determinants
Conclusion: Economics of Education, Poverty and Child Labour7 Demographics: Population Growth, Household Structure and Migration Patterns; 8 Policy Discussion: Outlining Policy Options and Solutions; 9 Conclusion: Coping Strategies, Emerging Challenges and Opportunities; Addressing the Main Research Questions; Coping Strategies; Emerging Challenges and Opportunities; References; Biography
Includes bibliographical references.
While the analysis is not the first to investigate empirically the effects of different individual or household factors on school access and completion of Ghanaians, it extends previous work by simultaneously incorporating individual, household, community, regional and national characteristics and also illustrates the latest evidence by applying international data sources and unusually detailed household survey data for a sub-Saharan country. Its focus is threefold: (i) gaining a richer understanding of which external influences hinder educational access and attainment in Ghana, (ii) how to better tackle these challenges and (iii) analyzing how educational development affects the country's overall development. An interview with the Minister of Education helps guide the policy orientation of the analysis by identifying several critical challenges and areas of needed policy attention. Findings from the data analysis indicate that the geographic divide between the North and South, increased economic growth, demographic pressure and a number of individual, household and community factors especially children's nutritional and labour status are the most important challenges in increasing levels of education among Ghanaians in years to come. Finally, the analysis pilots a new and comprehensive results- and capacity-focused policy matrix to help the Government of Ghana realign policy priorities and reform existing programs. To this end, respective policy levers on the demand- and supply-side are discussed, with particular reference to external and demand-side interventions which have not received the necessary attention at the policy-level to improve educational opportunities and outcomes at all levels.
Development economics.
Economic policy.
Educational policy.
Education and state.
Development Economics.
Economic Policy.
Educational Policy and Politics.