The Need for Support from the Ministry of Education for the “Unit Schools” - The Jewel of Ghana’s Special Education System

The Ministry of Education, through the Division of Special Education of the Ghana Education Service has established “Unit Schools” that make very significant inroads towards integrating students with disabilities with students in general education. These “Unit Schools” were supported by a German foundation following an agreement with the Government of Ghana in the years 2004 to 2007. In the following years the Ministry and Ghana Education Service have not succeeded in assuring continued support. Without institutionalized support it has fallen upon the Unit School teachers themselves to manage from their own resources. This noble effort by the teachers cannot continue as undue burdens are placed on their time and even their family income. Without support from the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, this burden will be too much for the current teachers to continue in the long term and will discourage new graduates from becoming Unit School teachers. To continue the Unit Schools--the jewel of Ghana’s Special Education System--must receive support from the Ministry of Education. This White Paper describes the Unit Schools and identifies needed support to ensure the continued success of these schools.