Excerpt
The National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA), formerly known as the National Inspectorate Board (NIB), is an autonomous agency under Ghana’s Ministry of Education (MoE). Established by the Education Act of 2008 (Act 778) and later amended by the Education Regulatory Bodies Act of 2020 (Act 1023), NaSIA is mandated to ensure the highest quality standards in pre-tertiary education across the country.
Historical Background
n 2008, the Ghanaian government enacted the Education Act (Act 778), leading to the creation of the National Inspectorate Board (NIB). The primary objective was to oversee and maintain educational standards in pre-tertiary institutions. In 2020, with the passage of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act (Act 1023), the NIB was rebranded as the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA), reflecting an expanded mandate and a renewed focus on enforcing educational quality standards.
Constitutional Role and Mandate
NaSIA’s core responsibilities include:
School Inspection:
- Conducting periodic evaluations of both public and private pre-tertiary schools to assess the quality of teaching and learning.
School Evaluation:
- Assessing educational outcomes to ensure institutions meet the prescribed standards.
Enforcement of Standards:
- Setting and enforcing guidelines to uphold educational excellence in Ghana’s pre-tertiary institutions.
These functions are designed to promote the highest quality standards in education, ensuring that all pre-tertiary institutions adhere to established guidelines.
Organizational Structure
NaSIA operates as an autonomous entity under the Ministry of Education. It is governed by a nine-member board inaugurated in September 2021, chaired by Professor Eugene K. M. Darteh, an expert in population and health studies. The board includes representatives from various educational bodies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to educational oversight.
Leadership and Ranks
The leadership of NaSIA is headed by the Inspector-General of Schools, a position held by Dr. Haggar Hilda Ampadu since 2019. Dr. Ampadu brings extensive experience in pharmaceutical policy and regulation, contributing to the authority’s mission of enforcing educational standards.
Mode of Appointment or Recruitment
Board members and key officials of NaSIA are appointed by the Minister of Education, often in consultation with relevant stakeholders. Appointments are based on expertise in education and related fields to ensure effective governance and oversight.
Collaborating Offices and Units
NaSIA collaborates with various educational bodies, including:
Ghana Education Service (GES):
- To align inspection processes with national educational policies.
National Teaching Council (NTC):
- To ensure teacher standards are maintained.
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA):
- To align school evaluations with the national curriculum.
Achievements
Since its inception, NaSIA has made significant strides in improving educational standards in Ghana. Notably, there has been a 1,500% increase in school inspections within a year, reflecting the authority’s commitment to rigorous oversight. Additionally, NaSIA has been proactive in ensuring compliance with COVID-19 protocols in schools, safeguarding the health and safety of students and staff.
Constitutional Reforms
- The significant constitutional reform impacting NaSIA was the enactment of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act of 2020 (Act 1023), which redefined its structure and expanded its mandate. This reform aimed to strengthen the regulatory framework governing pre-tertiary education in Ghana.
References
- https://www.nasia.gov.gh/
- https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/National-Inspectorate-Board-now-National-Schools-Inspectorate-Authority-1136546
- https://coverghana.com.gh/governing-board-of-national-schools-inspectorate-authority-nasia-inaugurated/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haggar_Hilda_Ampadu
- https://thebftonline.com/2021/05/21/national-schools-inspectorate-authority-nasia-is-changing-the-story-of-educational-standards/
- https://theheraldghana.com/34572-2/
- https://educationghana.org/9-member-governing-board-of-the-national-schools-inspectorate-authority-inaugurated/
- https://educationghana.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-nasia-and-its-mandate-in-ghana/
- https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/National-Inspectorate-Board-now-National-Schools-Inspectorate-Authority-1136546
- https://myghanadaily.com/national-inspectorate-board-now-national-schools-inspectorate-authority/
- https://www.classfmonline.com/news/education/NIB-now-NaSIA-21258
- https://www.nasia.gov.gh/about-us/
- https://www.ghana.gov.gh/mdas/372622664f/