The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, says the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) will allocate GH¢250 million this year to expand infrastructure in Category A senior high schools.
According to the minister, the investment is aimed at easing pressure on some of the country’s most sought-after schools, which have faced increasing enrolment under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, September 12, during a discussion on the ongoing SHS placement challenges, Mr Iddrisu said he had already discussed the allocation with the GETFund administrator.
“I’m also happy to note that I requested, and I had a discussion with the administrator of GETFund, that he should make an allocation of 250 million this year,” he said.
He explained that the funds would be used to expand facilities in selected Category A schools, while other infrastructure needs would be addressed through a planned World Bank-funded programme.
“Then we can expand the facilities in the Category A schools, while the World Bank focuses on other areas,” Mr Iddrisu said.
The minister said the planned expansion would cover some of the country’s leading senior high schools, including Achimota School, Wesley Girls’ High School, Holy Child School, Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC) and Prempeh College.
He said the government intends to construct additional classrooms and accommodation facilities to help the schools cope with rising enrolment.
“We can start classrooms, two dormitories, male and female, at Achimota, Wesley Girls, Holy Child, PRESEC, and Prempeh,” he said.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns about the capacity of some Category A schools to accommodate the high number of students seeking admission.
The pressure has contributed to challenges experienced by students and parents during the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) process, particularly where demand for places exceeds available capacity.
Government plans more community-based schools
Mr Iddrisu also defended the government’s plans to increase investment in community-based secondary education as part of a long-term response to placement challenges.
He said President John Dramani Mahama had directed the Education Ministry to pursue the construction of model community day schools in selected areas.
“That’s what I said; the President has directed me. For instance, in Nima, Ayawaso, we’ll build a model community day school,” he said.
The minister said the initiative would form part of the government’s broader infrastructure programme, adding that President Mahama would cut the sod for the $300 million project once procurement processes had been completed.
“That is where President Mahama will cut the sod for the $300 million project, as soon as we are done with procurement,” he said.
He also announced plans to establish special education facilities in other parts of the country.
“We’ll build special education in Ho, and then Sunyani, and we are considering one for Kintampo,” he said.
Education spending must prioritise foundational learning
Beyond the immediate placement challenges, Mr Iddrisu said Ghana needs to reconsider how resources are distributed across the education sector.
He said he had taken note of recommendations from education experts, including Professor Adei and other education scholars, who have written extensively on the country’s education system.
“We are at it, but I take the advice from Professor Adei, and he and other persons, including the late Professor Jampa, wrote extensively on education,” he said.
The minister argued that Ghana is spending heavily on secondary education while foundational learning at the basic level also requires greater attention.
“But, again, Ghana, we are spending too much on secondary education,” he said.
He stressed the importance of directing resources towards foundational learning, particularly literacy and numeracy.
“Everywhere in the world, focus, resources, and investment must be aligned to foundational learning, basic education, where literacy and numeracy are gained,” he said.
“If a child gets literacy right, that child is more likely to succeed,” he added.
Mr Iddrisu also cited the school feeding programme as an example of government investment at the basic education level.
He said the government currently spends about GH¢3.4 billion on the programme.
“But we are spending 3.4 billion on school feeding, in the name of pre-senior high school,” he said.
Despite concerns about education spending, the minister described the school feeding programme as a positive government intervention.
“At least, that’s a good thing we have also done as a government,” Mr Iddrisu said.
By:Rachael Djabakie