- Gov’t to invest GH₵1 billion from GETFund in 2026 to fix school infrastructure
- Funding aimed at phasing out the double-track system
- Minister declines bulletproof vest: “It doesn’t belong in schools”
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that the government will dedicate GH₵1 billion from the GETFund in 2026 to tackle pressing infrastructure deficits in schools across the country.
Speaking during a working visit to the Upper East Region, Mr. Iddrisu explained that the investment aims to bridge long-standing infrastructural gaps and ultimately eliminate the double-track system in senior high schools.
“This funding will allow us to address infrastructure shortfalls head-on and bring an end to the double-track system,” he stated.
As part of his visit, the minister toured the Zebilla Senior High Technical School, where he interacted with WASSCE candidates and assessed how the ongoing Bawku conflict has affected academic activity.
He urged students to stay focused on their education despite the instability:
“We must reject war and conflict. Education remains our strongest tool to defeat ignorance and poverty. Seize the opportunity and give it your all.”
In a symbolic gesture, the minister declined to wear a bulletproof vest offered to him during his visit, stating:
“A bulletproof jacket has no place in a learning environment. It sends the wrong message and undermines the atmosphere needed for education to flourish.”
Calling for calm and reconciliation in Bawku, Mr. Iddrisu emphasized that sustainable peace is essential for rebuilding the town and restoring a supportive learning environment.
He also expressed concern about the academic disadvantage faced by students in conflict zones, noting that their struggles are often overlooked during assessments:
“It’s disheartening that students in volatile areas are graded the same as those in stable regions, even though they lack the peace and conditions necessary for effective learning.”
