Fosu-Boakye Isaac, an administrator at the University of Cape Coast, is urging a rethink of how education is approached in Ghana, arguing that formal schooling should not be seen as the only path to success for every child.
In an exclusive interview, he said while formal education remains important, it is not the sole route to building a meaningful and successful life.
He noted that students who struggle academically are often sidelined in classrooms, warning that forcing them through a rigid system may do more harm than good.
Fosu-Boakye called on parents to pay closer attention to their children’s individual strengths and weaknesses rather than imposing fixed career paths.
He criticised the tendency of some parents to dictate their children’s futures, describing it as counterproductive to healthy development.
“Children will naturally do well if given the freedom to follow their interests and capabilities,” he said, adding that guidance is still necessary to help them make informed choices.
He stressed that learners have different academic abilities, and education systems must reflect that diversity.
To address this, he advocated stronger investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), positioning it as a credible alternative to the traditional senior high school-to-university route.
According to him, expanding apprenticeship programmes and competency-based training can better support students who may not thrive in purely academic environments.
He also pointed out that many Ghanaian families still equate success with university education and white-collar jobs, while technical and vocational careers—despite offering strong earning potential in areas such as construction, automotive services, fashion, and digital skills—are often undervalued.
Fosu-Boakye’s comments add to growing calls for early career guidance and more flexible learning pathways that recognise diverse talents, including in the arts, entrepreneurship, and skilled trades.
He concluded that when parents actively monitor their children’s development, they are better positioned to guide them toward paths where they can truly excel.