Complete abandoned school projects to end double-track – Education Committee urges Govt

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Education is concerned about abandoned projects in Senior High Schools. They urge the government to act quickly to complete these projects.

The unfinished projects include dormitories, classrooms, assembly halls, and administrative buildings. Many of these were started several years ago but remain incomplete.

Chairman Peter Nortsu-Kotoe led the committee on a three-day tour of schools in the Central Region. They aimed to gather insights into educational infrastructure and challenges.

Nortsu-Kotoe spoke to Citi News on May 16. He expressed disappointment over the number of stalled projects, calling it a setback for quality secondary education.

He said, “We have discovered many abandoned secondary schools. We appeal to the government to complete these projects.” This would help eliminate the double-track system and improve access to education.

The committee believes completing these projects will ease school congestion. It will also help phase out the controversial double-track system from the Free SHS policy.

At KAAF University, founder Michael Aidoo raised concerns about free fees for first-year students. He noted that this policy seems to favor only public institutions.

Aidoo stated, “If you say scholarship for Ghanaian children, every child should be entitled.” He argued that students should choose their universities freely without restrictions.

He urged the committee to advocate for including private universities in this initiative. Fair access should not depend on whether an institution is public or private.

In response, Nortsu-Kotoe mentioned that legislation requiring private universities to acquire charters has been repealed. This change provides relief for privately run institutions.

The committee concluded its visit with a commitment to engage with the government and stakeholders. They emphasized the urgent need to complete stalled projects and ensure equitable policies in education.