Fosu-Boakye Isaac, an administrator at the University of Cape Coast, has argued that formal schooling should not be treated as a compulsory path for every child.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Apiah-Kubi on Fabea FM’s “Me Man Ho Dadwen” programme, Fosu-Boakye said that while formal education plays a role in shaping children, it is not the only respectable route to a successful life.
He observed that students with low academic performance are often neglected in teaching and learning activities.
Forcing such students through a rigid academic system, he argued, may do more harm than good.
Fosu-Boakye urged parents to closely observe their children to identify their strengths and weaknesses.
He criticized the tendency of some parents to dictate career choices for their children, describing it as a harmful approach to child development.
“Children will naturally do well if given the freedom to follow their own interests and capabilities,” he noted.
However, he added that children should still be guided and encouraged to learn and must be cautious when choosing careers based on their abilities.
“Academically, learners have different aptitudes,” he said.
“Therefore, we must strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to position trades, entrepreneurship, and technical skills as viable alternatives to the traditional SHS-to-university pipeline,” he added.
“Apprenticeship programs and competency-based training are being scaled to absorb students who may not thrive in purely academic settings,” Fosu-Boakye added.
“For many Ghanaian families, university education is still seen as the primary marker of success and social mobility. White-collar jobs carry prestige, while artisanship and technical work are often undervalued despite strong earning potential in sectors like construction, automotive repair, fashion, and digital services,” Fosu-Boakye said.
Fosu-Boakye’s remarks called for greater recognition of children’s aptitudes in areas such as trade skills, the arts, and entrepreneurship.
His position aligns with growing calls for early career guidance and differentiated learning paths.
He concluded that when parents monitor their children’s development carefully, they can better predict the paths where their children are likely to excel.
Source: Apiah-Kubi – Fabea FM.
