The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has announced that the government has submitted University Bills to Parliament for the establishment of four new universities to enhance access to higher education, and drive national development.
The Minister disclosed this when he delivered an address on the state of education in the country at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) yesterday. His presentation covered key developments, achievements and future plans in the country’s education sector.
The universities
The Minister mentioned that these institutions include the University of Engineering and Agricultural Science in Bunso, the University of Engineering and Applied Sciences in Akrodie, University of Health, Agriculture, and Life Sciences (UheALS) in Kintampo and the University of Mampong in Ashanti Region.
He said the proposed universities were strategically located across the country to ensure equitable distribution of educational resources. He stressed that these new institutions were designed to address regional disparities in higher education access, and to cater to the diverse needs of students across different parts of Ghana.
CBE success
Dr. Adutwum touched on the success of the Complementary Basic Education (CBE) initiative in the country. He pointed out that the CBE programme had successfully mainstreamed 66,821 children aged 8 to 16 into the formal school system since its inception in 2020.
According to him, the programme has provided equitable access to education for children who had missed out on formal schooling, ensuring they receive a foundational education and are integrated into regular classes.
GTVP
The Minister also provided an update on the Ghana TVET Voucher Project (GTVP), revealing that as of September 2023, the initiative had positively impacted 19,062 individuals.
He added that the GTVP, designed to enhance technical and vocational education, had successfully supported 9,226 apprentices and 9,736 Master Craft Persons (MCPs) in their professional development.
In his view, this project demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving technical and vocational training by providing vouchers that cover various training costs.
TVET
He outlined the government’s concerted efforts to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across Ghana. He said the government had embarked on significant upgrades and rehabilitations to ensure they meet current educational standards.
He indicated that as part of this initiative, 21st-century facilities had been installed at the Applied Technical Institutes in East Legon, Anyinam, Dansoman and Kumawu. These upgrades, he stressed, aim to provide state-of-the-art learning environments that better prepare students for the workforce.
He revealed that government was advancing the construction of a new Construction Machinery Institute in East Legon, further expanding specialized training opportunities.
Completed SHS
He further announced the successful completion of several Community Day Senior High Schools (SHS) initiated during the Mahama administration.
He said these schools, which were originally set up as day schools, had now been upgraded with the addition of dormitories, converting them into full-fledged boarding institutions.
The schools, he mentioned, include Adansi Apagya Community SHS, Bassa Community SHS, New Kokrompe Community SHS, Adaklu Community SHS, Yawbram Community SHS, and Nsawora Edumafa Community SHS.
Dr. Adutwum mentioned that government had constructed new model STEM Senior High Schools (SHS) equipped with fully furnished science laboratories in Awaso, Abomosu, Koase, Kpasenkpe, Bosomtwe, Diaso, Kwadaso, Weija, and East Legon.
He explained that these schools were designed to bolster science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, providing students with state-of-the-art facilities to support their academic pursuits.
JHS models
In addition, he indicated the government was undertaking a major restructuring of Junior High Schools (JHS). He said this initiative includes the construction of new model schools in Sunyani and Juaben, as well as the development of new school blocks across the country.
Students results
The Minister also reported on notable advancements in the performance of Senior High School (SHS) students, emphasising that the 2023 examination results were the best in nine years.
He explained that this improvement followed a trend of rising academic standards over the past five years. He noted that, for the 2022 and 2023 year groups, over 60% of candidates achieved grades A1 to A6 in all core subjects. He believes this achievement underscores the positive impact of the Free SHS policy.
Additionally, he pointed out that enrolment rates in SHS had surged from 73% in 2016 to 86%. This, he stressed, gave a clear reflection on the broader access to education and the programme’s success in expanding opportunities for students across the country.
