After entering the IDPRSP and obtaining multiple loans from our financial partner Sinapi Aba, William has added classrooms, a library and computer lab, and a boarding facility for older students. With the additional infrastructure, the enrollment has increased significantly and more grades have been added, with Paa Willie now serving 300 students from the nursery years through JHS 3 (as of 2019).

Besides these physical improvements, William has greatly benefited from the school management and financial literacy trainings that he attended through the IDPRSP, particularly the human resources lessons. He reports that he is now better equipped to manage his staff, especially his teachers, by providing non-cash incentives to improve motivation and retention and has created a more community-oriented environment for all who work at Paa Willie. Due to these positive changes, the parents in the community have shown more confidence in the school’s ability to provide a quality education for their children.

After William’s efforts to create a better learning environment and a more supportive community, his hard work has paid off, which can be seen in Paa Willie’s improved test scores and Ghana Education Service (GES) ratings. In 2010, Paa Willie’s GES rating was a ‘D’. In 2018, the school made the significant jump to an ‘A’ rating and has had a 100% pass rate for their JHS 3 students’ Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE’s).

William is among the over 580 dedicated proprietors that have participated in the IDP Rising Schools Program. Learn more about the program here.