The Parliamentary Select Committee on Education has called on the government to ensure adequate budgeting is done before commencing educational infrastructure projects, in order to prevent future delays and abandoned projects.
This recommendation follows the committee’s inspection tour of senior high schools in the Eastern Region, where members observed widespread infrastructural decay and several long-abandoned school projects.
The schools visited—Ghana Senior High School (GHANAS), Koforidua Secondary Technical School, and New Juaben Senior High Commercial School—are grappling with significant infrastructure challenges. Many buildings are in disrepair, while various projects initiated by successive governments remain incomplete, some for over a decade.
Heads of the schools informed the committee that urgent infrastructure upgrades are required to support the transition from the double-track to the single-track system. They highlighted a lack of classroom space, overcrowded dormitories, and furniture shortages as major concerns affecting teaching and learning.
“The current number of classrooms stands at 52, and we have a deficit of 20 if we are to fully transition to a single-track system,” stated Diana Akosua Minah, Headmistress of GHANAS.
Following the visit, the committee commended school administrators for maintaining operations under difficult conditions but emphasized the need for a strategic funding approach.
“We have taken note of projects at various levels of completion—some at 80 to 90 percent. With a little more funding, they can be completed and put to use. Some have been stalled for more than 10 years. That’s a waste of public resources,” said Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, a member of the Education Committee.
“Going forward, we must have a budget in place before we begin any new project to avoid wasting public money.”
Deputy Ranking Member Mustapha Hamid added that the committee would submit its findings and recommendations to the Minister for Education, emphasizing the urgency of reverting fully to the single-track system.
“This is a policy the government has committed to, and as the committee with oversight responsibility, we’ll ensure our recommendations reach the Minister for Education.”
In a related appeal, Professor Samuel Donkor, President of All Nations University, urged the government to implement inclusive policies that would enhance the participation and development of private universities.
“The current landscape often treats us as secondary players. This must change if Ghana is to truly harness education as a driver of national development,” he said.
