A researcher behind a recent study that found millions of Ghanaian children attend schools near contaminated sites has warned that environmental pollution could be having a far greater impact on education than many policymakers appreciate.
The warning follows a JoyNews report revealing that approximately two million pupils in Ghana attend schools located within five kilometres of documented contaminated sites, according to a study titled Schools in the Shadow of Toxic Sites: Pollution Proximity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
Speaking to JoyNews’ Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen after the release of the report, Lee Crawfurd of the Centre for Global Development said growing evidence suggests pollution is a major but often overlooked factor affecting educational outcomes in developing countries.
For years, education reforms have largely focused on improving teacher quality, reducing class sizes and providing learning materials. However, Crawfurd believes greater attention must also be paid to the environments in which children learn.
When asked whether parents should be as concerned about environmental conditions around schools as they are about academic standards, he answered in the affirmative.
“We have done some previous research which has shown that lead poisoning in particular plays a really big role in children’s learning,” he said.
According to Crawfurd, the effects of pollution on education may be more significant than many people realise.
“We think it could explain up to a fifth of the gap between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries in terms of education quality,” he noted.
He added that the impact of lead exposure could be comparable to the effects of many widely studied education interventions.
“It’s a really big effect. It’s as significant as teacher training, reducing class sizes and other interventions that are often used to improve learning outcomes,” he explained.
The latest research, he said, provides valuable insight into schools that may be exposed to pollution from nearby contaminated sites, helping policymakers identify areas where children could be at risk.
Economic Consequences Beyond the Classroom
The study estimates that about two million Ghanaian children attend schools located within five kilometres of contaminated sites.
Crawfurd warned that if the problem is left unaddressed, the consequences could extend beyond academic performance and affect the country’s long-term economic development.
“It’s a significant drain on the economy as well as the learning of children,” he said.
He explained that exposure to pollution can affect children’s future productivity, earning potential and overall contribution to national development.
While some may consider five kilometres a relatively safe distance, Crawfurd said evidence from several countries suggests otherwise.
“It sounds like a big distance, but we now have strong evidence from multiple countries showing that children living or learning within that range can still experience negative effects on their educational outcomes,” he said.
He acknowledged that pollution often receives less attention because its effects are not always immediately visible.
“It’s difficult because it’s something we can’t see. But it’s there, and the scientific evidence continues to grow,” he added.
Wealthier Areas Also Affected
One of the study’s more unexpected findings was that children in wealthier communities were more likely to attend schools located near documented contaminated sites than children in poorer neighbourhoods.
According to Crawfurd, the trend was not unique to Ghana but was observed across most of the 17 countries included in the study.
“It was wealthier households that were more likely to be exposed to pollution from these specific contaminated sites than poorer households,” he said.
The research also found that private schools were more likely than public schools to be situated near contaminated locations.
Crawfurd attributed the pattern largely to urban development trends.
“All of these things tend to cluster together in cities — wealthier households, private schools and contaminated sites,” he explained.
He described the situation as evidence of shortcomings in urban planning and environmental management.
“It’s a real failure of urban planning that these sites have not been relocated away from residential communities,” he said.
He noted that the challenge is particularly evident in many major cities, where industrial and contaminated sites often exist in close proximity to homes, businesses and schools.
Call for Stronger Environmental Regulation
Crawfurd stressed that the issue should not be viewed solely as an educational challenge.
“It’s not just schools. It’s where these children live as well,” he said.
He explained that schools featured prominently in the study because their locations can be accurately mapped, making it easier to assess children’s potential exposure to nearby contamination.
Addressing the problem, however, will require broader action beyond the education sector.
“Ultimately, this is not a problem that schools alone can solve,” he said. “It is an environmental management challenge and, in many cases, a failure of regulation.”
His remarks add to growing concerns among researchers that environmental pollution may be silently affecting children’s health, learning abilities and future opportunities.
For Crawfurd, the evidence is becoming increasingly clear that tackling pollution must form part of broader efforts to improve educational outcomes and safeguard children’s wellbeing.