Cabinet has approved a GH¢3 billion infrastructure programme to expand secondary school facilities across the country and end the double-track system by 2029.
Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu disclosed this on Monday during the Minister’s briefing at the Government Accountability Series in Accra.
According to him, the government will construct 10 new Senior High and Technical Schools, while rehabilitating and retooling 150 existing institutions backed by a US$300 million World Bank facility.
Addressing teacher welfare, the Minister announced plans to recruit 16,000 additional teachers, prioritizing deployment to underserved communities.
To boost retention in remote areas, government has proposed a 20 per cent rural posting allowance alongside the Teacher Dabrɛ Initiative, which aims to facilitate the construction of 50,000 housing units nationwide.
“Our commitment remains firm on improving the quality of Free SHS through targeted investments in infrastructure, learning materials, and staff welfare,” Mr Iddrisu stated.
On equity and inclusion, the Ministry reported the distribution of 12.2 million sanitary pads to roughly 2.5 million female students to curb absenteeism. Additionally, GH¢100 million in GETFund allocation has been earmarked to support learners with special educational needs.
The Minister highlighted ongoing curriculum overhauls designed to strengthen literacy, numeracy, STEM, robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, and ethics.
He also reaffirmed government’s focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to support national industrialisation, alongside broader reforms in legal and medical education.
To enhance transparency, plans are underway to review the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) and enforce stricter governance across educational institutions.
Concerns over rising student indiscipline will also be addressed at an upcoming national stakeholders’ conference aimed at reviewing secondary school disciplinary frameworks.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
