Community Engagement Fuels Growth at DC Kurah Methodist School
In DC Kurah, a rural farming community in Northern Ghana, the journey to school once came with significant risks. With no formal school nearby, children had to travel to a neighboring community to access education. After a child was struck by a car along the route, many families became fearful of sending their children away to school.
That tragedy became the catalyst for action. With leadership support from the Methodist Church and support from community leaders, DC Kurah Methodist School was established in 2019, giving children the opportunity to learn closer to home.
But opening a school was only the beginning. The school started with very limited resources. Classrooms needed improvement and basic infrastructure, including floors and doors, required attention. Teachers served largely out of commitment to the community, while parents contributed whatever they could to help keep the school running.
"Getting money to pay teachers was always a challenge. Most teachers wanted to move to the towns in search of better opportunities," recalled Jeremiah, the school's headteacher.
Through Opportunity International EduFinance, the school leader and teachers received practical training that helped them rethink how to manage limited resources while improving the learning environment. Opportunity EduFinance's EduQuality program supports affordable non-state schools by providing training for school leaders and teachers to improve school quality, strengthen management practices, and create better learning conditions.
For DC Kurah Methodist School, the training led to practical and visible improvements. School leaders learned how to strengthen classroom management, improve the school's identity and branding, and make meaningful infrastructure upgrades despite limited funding. Floors were repaired, doors were fixed, and the overall environment became more organized, welcoming, and conducive to learning.
"We were able to accomplish some of the things we once thought were impossible. Even with limited money and resources, we were able to make significant improvements." Jeremiah said.
One of the most valuable lessons from the training was that teacher motivation does not have to depend solely on salaries. In a community where most families rely on farming and cash income is limited, the school found innovative ways to engage parents in supporting teachers.
During Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, school leaders encouraged families to contribute farm produce such as yams and other crops. These contributions could be sold or distributed directly to teachers as part of their monthly support. This locally driven approach created a sustainable support system that helped teachers feel valued, even when the school could not offer competitive salaries.
Where the school once struggled to operate with only 2 teachers, it now has 4 teachers serving more than 200 students. In one remarkable example of community support, parents collectively provided land where teachers could farm alongside their teaching responsibilities.
DC Kurah Methodist School is keeping tuition affordable at just GH₵15 per child per month. For families with limited financial resources, this affordability is essential. Yet affordability alone is not enough. Children also need dedicated teachers, safe classrooms, and school leaders equipped to make effective decisions with the resources available to them.
Opportunity EduFinance's support helped bring these elements together. Training strengthened school leadership, while teachers benefited from the Teacher Mentorship Professional Development (TMPD) module. These changes are improving the quality of teaching and learning in a community that once feared sending its children beyond its borders to receive an education.
Looking ahead, Jeremiah believes the next 5 to 6 years could bring even greater transformation. With continued professional development, strong community engagement, and sustained investment in school quality, he hopes DC Kurah Methodist School will become one of the leading schools in the district.
"When we started, things were difficult, but a lot has changed over the years. We believe that in the next five to six years, we will be in a much stronger position than we are today." he said.
