Mahama's SHS package is very special – Okudzeto Ablakwa

Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary Education has described as “very special” the secondary education improvement project launched by president Mahama on Tuesday.

According to him, government is going to put up 23 new Senior High Schools in addition to the 50 that the President has commenced constructing this year.

“…you are going to see the construction of 23 additional senior high schools. The President had promised 200, he earlier cut the sod for the construction of 50, now, he is going to use this facility to add 23; so, that will bring the senior high school under construction to 73,” he stated.

His comment follows President John Dramani Mahama's launching of the Secondary Education Improvement Project in Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region on Tuesday November 4.

As part of government’s effort to provide better education in underserved areas, the World Bank Group and Ghana recently signed a $156 million finance agreement to advance access to secondary education across the country.

This facility would support the Ghana Secondary Education Improvement Project, which is expected to enroll 30,000 new secondary school students, improve learning outcomes for 150,000 students in low-performing schools, and 2000 senior high school teachers, head teachers and other education officials.

Speaking to Radio Gold’s Alhaji Suhuyini on the Gold Power Drive on Wednesday, the North Tongu Member of Parliament said part of the facility is allocated for upgrading the existing infrastructure in some 125 Schools.

“This facility also has a component that has to do with improving the facilities and quality of education in 125 existing Senior High Schools. It also has a component which says that 10,000 needy students (using a very scientific process) will be identified and supported throughout their secondary education,” he revealed.

The Deputy Minister of Education added that the identified needy students will be provided with virtually everything they require for their education for the entire 3-year duration.

“They will receive scholarship; they’ll receive school bags, school uniforms, shoes, bicycles, transportation among other things,” he pointed out.

He further indicated that 60% of the needy students will be girls, adding that “the girl child will also receive sanitary pads and other hygienic materials necessary,” as part of the package.

He mentions that 6,500 teachers from the 125 schools will benefit from a special training. “In this training, 500 science teachers and 360 mathematics teachers will be trained."

All the Headmasters of the 125 schools according to Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa would also be taken through a special training in leadership and management.