The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that the government is working to upgrade some Category B senior high schools to Category A status as part of efforts to address the country’s school placement challenges.

Speaking at the launch of the ADEA Triennale on Education Conference on Monday, October 14, 2025, the minister explained that the initiative aims to expand access to quality education and reduce the pressure on Category A schools during the placement process.

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He acknowledged that the Ministry of Education faces a major challenge in accommodating the increasing number of qualified applicants for senior high schools across the country.

“The ministry acknowledges that there is a significant challenge when there are 76,000 vacancies, but 393,000 qualified applicants desiring to fill them. The challenge is described as a near impossibility,” Haruna Iddrisu said.

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He disclosed that discussions with the president have already begun toward implementing the plan in 2026, adding that the initiative will focus on improving equity and capacity within the education system.

“To address equity and capacity, the minister has discussed with the president a plan for 2026 to convert at least 10 Category C schools to Category B, and 10 Category B schools to Category A. This conversion will be backed by infrastructure development, including available classroom blocks, dormitories for students, and quality improvement through improved teaching and learning materials and aids,” he stated.

He, however, noted that the ministry would require substantial budgetary support to execute the initiative successfully.

"I will need budgetary support and allocation to do that,” he added.

JKB/AE

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