Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu says government will expand senior high school infrastructure to address persistent challenges in the placement of students into highly sought-after schools.
He said the pressure on the placement system is largely due to the huge demand for Category A schools, which have limited vacancies compared to the number of applicants seeking admission.
According to Mr. Iddrisu, while 313,000 applications were received for Category A schools, only 76,000 vacancies are available.
He said the imbalance presents a major challenge, particularly as many students prefer schools with strong academic reputations, even when they have already been posted to other institutions.
To address the situation, the Minister said the President John Mahama administration has secured US$300 million from the World Bank, out of which GH¢2.8 billion, equivalent to about US$256 million, will be dedicated to education infrastructure.
He announced plans to build 10 new Category A model schools, convert 20 Category B schools into Category A institutions, and upgrade 30 Category C schools to Category B.
He expansion is expected to increase the number of spaces available in highly demanded schools and ultimately ease pressure on the SHS placement system.
He also announced plans to rehabilitate more than 150 schools across the country and establish a special needs education school of excellence.
The Education Minister blamed part of the current pressure on infrastructure for the rapid increase in enrolment following the introduction of Free SHS, noting that student populations in some established schools have more than doubled.
The Minister of Education said this when commissioning model Classroom Projects in South Senchi, Tetebo, Adome, Aboasa, Asempanaye, and Asikuma in the Asuogyaman District in Eastern region on Monday September 14, 2026.
The Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Thomas Ampem Nyarko said the JHS classroom block infrastructure became necessary to provide access to hundreds of learners who after Basic six had to trek several miles to nearby communities to access JHS Education.
Source: Starrfm.com gh
