World Bank backs Ghana’s plan to end double-track education with $300 million funding
Ghana’s efforts to bring an end to the double-track system in senior high schools have received a major boost following the approval of a $300 million financing package by the World Bank.
The funding will support a nationwide education reform programme designed to expand school infrastructure, improve learning outcomes and create more space within the secondary education sector as government works towards eliminating the double-track arrangement by 2027.
The investment will be channelled through the Transformative Secondary Education for Access, Results and Relevance for Jobs (STARR-J) Project, an initiative aimed at strengthening the quality, accessibility and relevance of secondary education across the country.
Education authorities say the programme will focus on addressing infrastructure gaps that emerged following the introduction of the Free SHS policy, while also improving the overall learning environment for students.
Officials believe increasing classroom space, upgrading facilities and enhancing educational delivery will allow schools to accommodate students under a single-track calendar, bringing an end to the system introduced to manage rising enrolment numbers.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu described the project as a strategic intervention that goes beyond infrastructure, saying it would help prepare Ghana’s young population for future economic opportunities.
According to him, the initiative is expected to improve access to quality education while ensuring students acquire skills that align with the demands of the modern labour market.
The Ministry of Education noted that the project would also support broader efforts to improve efficiency within the secondary education system and strengthen learning outcomes nationwide.
Government officials have expressed optimism that the programme will accelerate ongoing reforms aimed at making secondary education more inclusive, competitive and responsive to national development needs.
The Ministry further acknowledged the support of the World Bank and other development partners, describing the approval as a significant step towards transforming Ghana’s education sector and expanding opportunities for young people across the country.
With implementation expected to begin in phases, the STARR-J Project is set to become one of the largest recent investments in Ghana’s secondary education system as authorities push to achieve the target of ending the double-track system within the next year.
Source: myjoyonline.com
About The Author
