Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has disclosed that the World Bank is supporting Ghana’s education sector with $300 million to upgrade several secondary schools across the country.

According to the minister, the funding will be used to convert several Category ‘C’ schools into Category ‘B’ schools, while some Category ‘B’ schools will also be upgraded to Category ‘A’ status as part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving access and quality in the education system.

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Speaking on TV3’s NewDay on Thursday, March 5, 2026, Iddrisu said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen infrastructure in senior high schools.

“The World Bank supports the Education Ministry with $300 million to convert a number of category ‘C’ schools to ‘B’ and ‘B’ schools to ‘A’,” he said.

Beyond infrastructure expansion at the secondary level, the minister emphasised that the government is shifting more attention and resources toward strengthening basic education, which he described as the foundation of a strong education system.

He explained that the current administration is aligning its financial commitments to prioritise basic schools to improve learning outcomes across the country.

“Everywhere in the world, if you want to get your education right, you must invest in basic education. The President hinted at that in the State of the Nation Address. So, now, government policy realigns investment and allocations of financial resources more in favour of basic education,” he said.

Iddrisu also criticised the previous administration led by former president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy, arguing that infrastructure development did not keep pace with the rising number of students.

The policy, introduced in 2017, significantly increased enrolment in senior high schools across the country.

“Free Senior High School was launched, but the previous government failed to provide expanded infrastructure and lecture theatres to accommodate the exponential increase in student numbers,” he said.

Looking ahead, the minister also outlined plans by the administration of John Dramani Mahama to make education more inclusive, particularly for persons with special needs.

“We want to introduce free education for all persons with special needs, provide them with the necessary assistive devices, and increase the feeding grant from GHS 8 to GHS 15,” he said.

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Iddrisu further indicated that the government is considering reforms that will gradually reduce the heavy reliance on boarding facilities in some schools, especially in urban areas, while expanding day-school options closer to communities.

“We must work towards de-boardinisation, and the focus should be on rural and peri-urban areas, while in urban areas we focus on reducing boardinisation.”

NA/VPO

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