Ghana's Free SHS Funding Approved by Cabinet, Parliament to

The Cabinet has given its approval for a $300 million World Bank financing package to support infrastructure development in senior high schools, with Parliament expected to consider the agreement on Tuesday, July 21.

Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu made the announcement during the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, July 20. The funding, part of the Transformative Secondary Education for Access, Results and Relevance for Jobs (STARR-J) Project, aims to improve access to quality secondary education while strengthening learning outcomes.

The project seeks to address infrastructure deficits that emerged following the expansion of the Free SHS policy, which led to a sharp increase in student enrolment and the introduction of the double-track system to ease congestion in schools.

According to Iddrisu, the investment will help bridge critical infrastructure gaps, including the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, dormitories, and other essential facilities. This will create the capacity needed to phase out the double-track system.

The $300 million financing package is a major step towards addressing infrastructure challenges confronting the country's second-cycle education sector. "Indeed, the cabinet has given its approval; parliament should look at it tomorrow of a $331 million STARR-J Project to expand access to secondary education to improve its quality and relevance," Iddrisu said.

The Free SHS policy, which was introduced to make senior high school education free for all Ghanaians, has been successful in increasing access to education. However, the policy has also led to a sharp increase in student enrolment, which has put pressure on the country's education infrastructure.

The STARR-J Project aims to address these infrastructure deficits by providing funding for the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, dormitories, and other essential facilities. Once Parliament ratifies the financing agreement, the funds will be channelled into these projects to support the long-term sustainability of the Free SHS policy.

The project is expected to accelerate efforts to improve learning conditions and sustain the gains made under the Free SHS programme. Mr Iddrisu expressed confidence that parliamentary approval would pave the way for the commencement of the project.

Source: JOY