President Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has touted his government’s unparalleled commitment and investment towards advancing education in Ghana.
Addressing the 61st Annual Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), at Achimota School in Accra yesterday, the President asserted that no other government in the history of the 4th Republic had achieved as much in the education sector as his administration.
The President disclosed that since taking office in 2017, his government had allocated a staggering GH¢114,500,612,135 to the education sector, with GH¢12,961,284,548 specifically allocated to senior high schools (SHS).
He underlined the achievements which encompass improvements in access, quality and relevance at all levels of education.
SHS, KG, Primary & JHS
At the SHS level, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the initiation of 1,105 projects, including classroom blocks, dormitories, and essential facilities.
Notably, 280,000 laptops for teachers, 350 buses, 840 pick-up vehicles, 1,500 motorcycles, and 677,470 pieces of furniture have been distributed. Additionally, the ambitious 1-laptop-1-student policy will soon distribute 450,000 tablets to students.
In the early stages of education, President Akufo-Addo noted substantial investments in kindergarten schools, including modern teaching methodologies and age-appropriate learning materials. The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) is driving 1,270 infrastructure interventions, incorporating cutting-edge technology such as smart boards.
At the primary school level, the implementation of National Standardized Tests has led to a remarkable improvement in reading proficiency among Primary 2 students, from 2% in 2015 to 38% in 2022.
The President also mentioned the Model Junior High Schools project, supported by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, constructing 11 model schools with modern amenities.
Ghana NDLP, SHS, e-Transform Ghana
President Akufo-Addo touched on the Ghana National Digital Literacy Project (NDLP), focused on equipping students for the global digital economy.
Smart Labs have been established in 485 schools across Ghana, setting the stage for digital learning. The President revealed plans for Phases II and III, aiming to expand the programme to all schools and establish a local plant for device manufacturing.
The e-Transform Ghana project, with an investment of $97 million, is enhancing ICT service delivery in SHS. Computer laboratories with cutting-edge technology will be established in 305 public SHS, bridging the digital divide and supporting the “One Student One Tablet” initiative.
TVET, Tertiary
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the modernization and expansion of Technical, Vocational, Educational Training (TVET) education, combining classroom learning with practical, on-the-job training.
He indicated that curriculum revisions were undertaken to meet industry demands, ensuring students gain practical, job-ready skills.
The President mentioned the establishment of new institutions catering to a diverse range of academic disciplines, aimed at providing equitable access to higher education opportunities.
He noted that his government’s “No Guarantor” policy is breaking down financial barriers for students seeking higher education. “Partnerships between tertiary institutions and industries are also fostering practical training and research opportunities,” he stressed.
President Akufo-Addo also stressed government’s commitment to preparing Ghana’s youth for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, equipping them with the skills necessary for economic prosperity and innovation.
Commendation
The President further lauded the Chartered Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) for their instrumental role in the successful execution of the Free Senior High School (SHS) Policy, introduced in September 2017.
He praised the consistently exceptional performance of students in the West African Senior High School (WASSCE) exams since the policy’s inception.
He highlighted that the remarkable results demonstrated that “there can no longer be any controversy about the validity of the Free SHS policy and its consequential measures,” putting to rest any lingering doubts or resistance.
President Akufo-Addo announced that the WASSCE results of graduates under the Free SHS policy had surpassed those achieved in 2016, prior to his tenure. He intimated that despite the substantial increase in enrollment, the quality of education had not declined but instead had improved significantly.
The President shared, “The 2022 WASSCE results of the third batch of the ‘Akufo-Addo graduates’ shows 60.39% of students recording A1-C6 in English, as opposed to 51.6% in 2016; 62.45% recording A1-C6 in Integrated Science in 2022, as opposed to 48.35% in 2016, with the 2022 result being a slight regression from the 2021 pass rate of 65.70%; 61.39% recording A1-C6 in Mathematics, as compared to 33.12% in 2016; and 71.51% recording A1-C6 in Social Studies, as compared to 54.55% in 2016”.
Pioneering role
The President also acknowledged the pioneering role of the 2021 batch of students who experienced the double-track system and attained commendable results. The 2022 results were declared the best in the last eight years.
He reminded the audience of the policy’s necessity, emphasizing that prior to its introduction, thousands of qualified students couldn’t afford SHS fees, resulting in a bleak future for Ghana’s youth.
The President was resolute in his commitment to ending this predicament, noting “That is one of the principal reasons for the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy in September 2017, 8 months after I had taken office”.
