Ghana has taken a bold step by introducing free senior high school education. Nutifafa Geh, a Commonwealth Correspondent alumni from Ho in Ghana, writes that the programme is earning praise and support. Education is power and an enabler, and to remove the financial barrier in accessing secondary education, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo …

“Free secondary school takes off in Ghana” Read More »

Standardised testing is a common academic measure, but Aura Whittier, 17, a Correspondent from San Juan, Trinidad, argues the powerful tool discriminates based on factors that students cannot control. There my friend was, sobbing uncontrollably in my arms. He burst into tears in front of his mother as soon as he received his results; again …

“Tests are standardised, but students are not” Read More »

 Policy makers and stakeholders have described the Free Senior High School Education in Ghana as a means to creating a society of opportunities and empowerment for every citizen, writes Kenneth Gyamerah, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kumasi in Ghana who examines the programme that rolled out in September. It is a daunting prospect at a …

“Students are schooling without learning” Read More »

by Diyaulhaq Bin Usman The one-year mandatory scheme  scheme has been in existence since 1975, when it was created by the government. The dual purpose of the scheme is to inculcate in Nigerian youths the spirit of selfless service to the community, and to emphasise the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians, irrespective of …

“Ghosts in the National Youth Service scheme” Read More »

Even as education rates rise, some students are being left behind. Santhiya Ramadas, 27, a Correspondent from Malaysia, describes a unique organisation that gives vulnerable youth a path to skills and a livelihood. You give a poor man a fish and you feed him for a day; you teach him to fish and you give …

“Skills program helps underprivileged youth” Read More »

Silence can be a crime, writes Chibuzo Chiwike, 16, a Correspondent from Aba in Nigeria, who argues that those who witness crimes without interfering or reporting it might as well be criminals. I am not an angel; I have been silent several times. Today, I am shaken to the core by what has happened, and as …

“Keeping silent can harm the victims” Read More »

The freedom to ask questions is a crucial part of education, writes Olawole Olakunle, 24, a Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, who argues critical thinking is essential to solving society’s problems. I went to a bed-bug riddled school whose unofficial mandate was to make docile the crop of young people who are supposed to be …

“Education begins when you can ask why!” Read More »

Alvin Ma, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Canada, describes the powerful combination of sport and education in creating a fairer future for the Commonwealth.  “I wouldn’t claim to have made any great discoveries, but at any rate I satisfactorily inched forward in our knowledge of a particular aspect of medicine…I’m far more content with that …

“Powering our common future through sport” Read More »

Chimwemwe Manyozo, 28 is, Commonwealth Correspondent from Lilongwe, Malawai and co-founder of Maphunziro265, a youth development reflects on its contribution to making the Commonwealth fairer, more secure, more sustainable and more prosperous.  As we are drawing close to the Commonwealth Heads of Government and Commonwealth Youth Forum, I have been battling with the Question ‘How …

“Motivation and education: my contribution to making the Commonwealth fairer” Read More »