Ghana’s Education in the Era of Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings: A Historical Review and Analysis, 1982-2001

Abstract

This study examined the contribution of Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings to the development  of  education  in  Ghana.  Specifically,  the  study  focused  on  his introduction of the 1987 Education Reforms, and how the University Rationalisation Policy introduced by him affected tertiary education in Ghana. The study employed the  appropriate  historical  and  methodological  approaches  as  its  research  design.  It adopts the qualitative method and uses both primary and secondary sources of data to examine how education fared in Ghana under Rawlings. Interview guide was used to collect the primary data. Two persons were selected for the interview on the grounds of  their  knowledge  about  Rawlings.  Again,  they  were  present  when  Rawlings introduced the 1987 Education Reforms in Ghana. The study points out that Rawlings’ contribution to education did not only shorten the duration of education but also, it built a school system that reflected the Ghanaian realities and that made the educated child more productive in the society