Home Was Uncomfortable, School Was Hell

Ghana has faced strong gender bias inside its educational institutions since gaining independence from Britain. This prejudice is fuelled by the legacy of the colonial powers, nurtured by Ghana's traditional anti-female beliefs, and made worse by various social crises and irresponsible politicians. These factors combine to limit girls' educational experiences, keeping females in complete submission to males. Many of the studies done on girls' education have focused on comparing the student population of girls and boys, but this book looks at the role played by societal belief systems and socio-educational and economic crises impacting girls' schooling. The author tells about the problems Ghanaian girls face through her own memories as a child and as a teacher in Ghanaian school. This book uses case studies of four girls who dropped out of school and their families and teachers to further the understanding of gender issues faced by Ghana in particular and educational systems in general.