Children's right to education : challenges to female education in Northern Ghana. Case study: Savelugu-Nanton district

Abstract

This thesis got its premise from the high illiteracy rate and educational challenges affecting female children in the northern part of Ghana especially within the Savelugu-Nanton district. In effect, it analysis the various barriers to female education in this district and the consequences on the child’s development and the society in general. The paper present the importance of children’s right to education and the international instruments mainstreaming the right to education. It also provide an overview of both national and international legal documents protecting and promoting female education. The thesis introduces the socio-economic, socio-cultural and developmental impediments that pose as major challenges to female education within the Savelugu-Nanton district. The cultural mindset that devalue female education are all discussed at length. The paper further explains how these factors have promoted increase female school drop-out and their effects on the girl child. The Thesis also aim to highlight the vicious circle surrounding female education caused by harmful traditional practices, religion and ancestral values hence it eventually illustrate the economic implications of denying a female child education and the benefits of educating and empowering women to national growth. Also for a better comprehension of the barriers, data was collected from a cross section of actors within the district to generate more inside on these challenges The study therefore recommend vigorous sensitization on the negative effects of these socio-cultural factors by the government and NGOs and the removal of all forms of levies in basic schools as well as strict enforcement of the Free Compulsory Basic Education policy by the government as recognized in international education instruments. With the government’s complete implementation of policies and fulfilment of its obligation to achieve gender equality in education, such acts go a long way to improve access to basic education in the Northern Region of Ghana and Savelugu-Nanton District in particular.