
RISING ACADEMIES
Closing the Education Gap
In Ghana, access to quality education remains a challenge for many, particularly in rural communities. With public schools struggling to meet the demands of a growing population, private education offers an alternative, yet remains out of reach for many families. Rising Academies, an affordable private school network operating across Ghana, is bridging this gap, providing a high-quality education to children in underserved areas. Commissioned by FINCA International, I was tasked with documenting the impact of their investment in Rising Academies, highlighting the role of education in improving opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
Since Ghana’s independence in 1957, public schools have been central to the education system. However, rapid population growth and limited resources have strained the public sector. In rural areas, overcrowded classrooms, insufficient teaching materials, and a shortage of qualified educators have left many students with limited chances to succeed. This creates an educational divide where children in low-income areas struggle to gain the literacy and numeracy skills needed for a better future.
In response to the education gap, Rising Academies has introduced an innovative model of affordable private schooling. These schools aim to provide quality education to low-income families, using a data-driven approach to monitor student progress and adapt teaching methods. By focusing on rigorous teacher training, small class sizes, and accessible learning materials, Rising Academies has proven to be an effective alternative to overburdened public schools.


For many parents in rural Ghana, sending their children to a Rising Academy school represents a choice between an uncertain future and a chance at upward mobility. While the school fees are significantly lower than traditional private schools, they still pose a financial burden for many families, often forcing parents to make difficult sacrifices.
In documenting the lives of these families, I sought to capture their stories beyond the classroom. Through these intimate images, I aimed to show the emotional and financial commitment parents make to secure a better education for their children. The portraits and candid moments I captured reflected the daily challenges they face, from balancing school fees with basic needs, to working long hours to make ends meet.


The rise of affordable private schools like Rising Academies reflects a larger shift in Ghana’s education landscape, where more and more families are turning to low-cost alternatives to public schooling. This trend is not unique to Ghana; across Sub-Saharan Africa, affordable private schools have become a growing solution for families in underserved communities. However, this expansion raises important questions about the long-term sustainability and equity of private education. While these schools offer a valuable alternative to failing public systems, they also expose the need for a broader, systemic investment in public education to ensure that all children—regardless of income—have access to quality schooling.
My work, as part of the project, was aimed at highlighting these complexities, acknowledging the systemic educational challenges in Ghana, while focusing on the tangible impact that Rising’s model is having on students, families, and communities.


While the challenges are immense, Rising Academies is proving that with the right model, education can be transformative even in the most underserved communities. The hope is that as more students benefit from this model, it will continue to inspire further educational reforms in Ghana, pushing for broader change that addresses the root causes of inequality.
