Cabinet has approved a proposed $300 million World Bank financing package to support infrastructure expansion in senior high schools, with Parliament expected to consider the agreement on Tuesday, July 21.
Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu announced the approval during the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, July 20, describing the facility as a major boost to efforts to address infrastructure deficits in the country’s secondary education sector.
“Indeed, Cabinet has given its approval. Parliament should look at it tomorrow, a $331 million STARR-J Project to expand access to secondary education and improve its quality and relevance in Ghana,” he said.
The minister explained that once Parliament ratifies the agreement, the funds will be used to expand and upgrade infrastructure in senior high schools to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
According to Mr. Iddrisu, the project will finance the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, dormitories and other critical facilities to ease congestion in schools and create the capacity required to eliminate the double-track system.
The funding forms part of the Transformative Secondary Education for Access, Results and Relevance for Jobs (STARR-J) Project, which seeks to expand access to quality secondary education while improving learning outcomes and ensuring graduates acquire skills relevant to the job market.
The minister noted that the project is expected to tackle infrastructure challenges that arose following the implementation of the Free SHS policy, which significantly increased enrolment and necessitated the introduction of the double-track system in many schools.
Mr. Iddrisu expressed optimism that Parliament would approve the financing package, paving the way for the rollout of the project and accelerating the government’s efforts to improve teaching and learning conditions in senior high schools across the country.
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