Rising Academies has today announced the acquisition of Omega Schools, one of Ghana’s largest private school networks.
Beyond the immediate public health and economic crisis, COVID-19 has also created an education crisis, forcing millions of children in Ghana and around the world out of school. Making the schools these children return to the best they can be must be at the heart of the post-covid recovery.
By combining Rising’s proven academic model and track record elsewhere in the region with Omega’s deep community ties, operational expertise and focus on value-for-money, the ambition is to create a company that can play its part in building back better.
Since its inception in Sierra Leone in 2014, Rising Academies has focused on improving the quality of teaching and learning and rigorously measuring its impact. It works through low cost private schools it owns and operates itself, and through large scale partnerships with governments and other school operators. The company is a Certified B Corp®, only the third in West Africa and the first in either Sierra Leone or Liberia.
Last year, the final report of a randomised controlled trial of Liberia’s flagship education reform praised Rising for producing “a consistently positive pattern of results across learning, access, and safety dimensions.”
During the covid crisis, Rising created a free, twenty-week programme of radio lessons to keep children safe and learning while out of school. It has been adapted and used by thirty partners in twenty countries.
Founded by Professor James Tooley and Ken Donkoh in Ghana in 2008, Omega was an early pioneer of affordable private schooling, known for innovations like its daily fee model. It has since expanded to more than 30 schools in Kasoa and the surrounding areas.
The company’s previous shareholders have sold their shares to Rising and will not be investors in the new combined company, which will serve more than 50,000 students across Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Omega’s leadership team has committed to remain in post, and the company’s current CEO Alain Guy Tanefo will join Rising’s management team.
Rising Academy Network CEO Paul Skidmore said:
“What Omega has achieved over the last decade is really inspiring. The post-covid world presents new challenges for us all, and we are excited to have the opportunity to help Omega rise to meet them.”
CEO of Omega Schools Alain Guy Tanefo said:
“We are grateful to everyone who has helped make this possible. Joining forces with Rising will boost our impact, not only in ensuring greater access to quality education, but also in improved learning outcomes. As part of the Rising group, we are set for a brighter future.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Rising Academy Network (also known as “RAN” or “Rising Academies”) is a growing network of inspiring schools in West Africa. Its mission is “to create schools that open doors and change lives.” One of the fastest-growing quality-focused education companies in Africa, it is a Certified B Corp®. For more information see www.risingacademies.com.
Rising is committed to transparent evaluation of its impact. Links to independent evaluations of its impact are available at rsng.org/risingimpact.
Omega Schools Franchise Limited was founded in 2008 by Professor James Tooley and Ken Donkoh.
Enquiries: information@risingacademies.com