Government has, in its bid to address infrastructural challenges in senior high schools, began processes into the construction of a total of 962 school structures nationwide, according to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The president explains that, there is an elaborate program designed to ensure that problems faced by second cycle schools as a result of the introduction of the Free SHS are addressed.
Addressing the audience at the 68th Speech and Prize Giving Day ceremony of the Opoku Ware Senior High School in Kumasi, Nana Akufo-Addo said government is committed to make heavy investments in education.
“We are investing heavily in infrastructure, particularly in our double track schools. Here at Opoku Ware School, for example, Government has already completed the construction of a twelve-unit classroom block, which I understand is currently in use, together with the provision of 1,500 sets of tables and chairs. Government is constructing a new four-storey dormitory block, work on which is progressing steadily. In total 962 structures are being constructed in schools across the country,” President Akufo-Addo said.
President Akufo-Addo stated that addressing the infrastructure deficit “was an excellent and exciting one because more children wanting to go to school beyond Junior High School was good news.”
“Our position is that every child who qualifies to be in Senior High School must be given the opportunity to do so,” he noted.
He further said the provision of access to 1.2 million children entailed innovation in the usage of the resources available, and “it is out of this that the idea of the double-track system was born, a system that has worked well in many other jurisdictions.”
Commenting on the double-track system, President Akufo-Addo said government has been able to ensure the best possible use of the space and assets available in schools, throughout the year.
“Schools, that operate the double-track system, have increased their SHS 1 intake by up to fifty percent (50%) of their usual capacity. This has given many young students a better opportunity to enter our elite schools, such as Opoku Ware, than was previously the case”, he added.
President Akufo-Addo assured that every district, municipal and metropolitan directorate of education will receive a pick-up vehicle to help deliver quality education.
“I assure all of you that Government will deal with the issues as they arise, and ensure that we continue to invest in the education and skills training of our young people, as the investment represents the best hope for the social and economic future of our country,” the President added.
Akufo-Addo, Prez Ghana