The Ministry of Education in Ghana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, is set to undertake a major procurement of furniture for selected Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country. This move aims to address the shortage of desks and other essential furniture that has compelled some schools to continue operating the double-track system. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu stated that the intervention will target schools with adequate classroom infrastructure but lacking sufficient furniture to accommodate students simultaneously.
According to Minister Iddrisu, providing the necessary furniture to schools would immediately increase their capacity, allowing them to transition to a single-track system. He made this disclosure during a surprise monitoring visit to selected schools in the Western Region, including Tarkwa Senior High School. The visit aimed to assess conditions in schools and identify challenges affecting teaching and learning as the government pursues measures to improve access to quality secondary education.
At Tarkwa SHS, Minister Iddrisu identified inadequate furniture as a key issue limiting the ability of some schools to completely phase out the double-track arrangement. He noted that the government had identified schools where classroom space was available but a shortage of desks and other furniture prevented them from accommodating all students under a single-track system.
The planned procurement will focus on addressing this gap and supporting schools already equipped with adequate classroom infrastructure. This intervention is part of broader efforts by the government to improve conditions in Senior High Schools and create the capacity needed to accommodate students without relying on separate academic tracks.
Minister Iddrisu's visit to Tarkwa SHS was part of a broader monitoring exercise to assess the state of schools in the Western Region. The Minister's interaction with students, teachers, and school administrators provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by schools in the region.
The government's efforts to improve access to quality secondary education include initiatives to address infrastructure and resource gaps in Senior High Schools. The procurement of furniture for selected schools is expected to be a significant step towards achieving this goal.
The Ministry of Education's initiative to provide furniture to selected SHSs is expected to have a positive impact on the education sector, enabling more students to access quality education in a conducive learning environment. The implementation of this initiative will be closely monitored to ensure its effectiveness in achieving the desired outcomes.
Key points
- The Ministry of Education will undertake a major procurement of furniture for selected Senior High Schools to help end the double-track system.
- The intervention will target schools with adequate classroom infrastructure but lacking sufficient furniture.
- The procurement aims to increase the capacity of schools to accommodate students under a single-track system.
