The Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Honourable Haruna Iddrisu has revealed that government will move aggressively to complete several abandoned GETFund projects across the country. He explained during parliamentary proceedings that delays in educational infrastructure continue to affect teaching and learning in many communities.
The Education Minister indicated that one of the affected projects is the stalled three storey classroom block at Israel Park in the Ga Central Municipality. He stated that the facility, which began in 2014 under GETFund financing, has remained incomplete because of funding constraints.
In addition, Honourable Iddrisu unveiled that the ministry has written to GETFund to prioritise the project under the 2026 funding formula. He added that efforts were underway to ensure contractors returned to site for work to continue.
“We are going to work on at least some 27 uncompleted GETFund projects between now and December. Into next year, we can prioritise the rest.”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu
The Tamale South MP further explained that increasing enrolment at the secondary school level has created pressure on existing infrastructure. He stressed that classrooms, dormitories and science laboratories must expand alongside access to education.
He said that the ministry’s project unit was reviewing several delayed contracts across the country. He disclosed that some contractors have been terminated because they failed to meet agreed contractual obligations.
The Education Minister also reaffirmed government’s commitment to technical and vocational education. He told the House that the Mahama administration intended to strengthen investment in TVET to address rising youth unemployment.
Furthermore, Honourable Iddrisu stated that government is focused on widening access to technical skills training nationwide. He argued that practical education would improve employment opportunities for many young people.
The Tamale South MP also announced a policy direction aimed at reducing boarding facilities in urban centres. He explained that future secondary school projects in cities such as Tema, Kasoa and Ayawaso would largely focus on community day schools.
He observed that huge spending on student feeding was reducing available funds for infrastructure development. He disclosed that a substantial portion of GETFund allocations currently goes into feeding expenses within the education sector.
“Government today is spending a lot of money on feeding. How much is left for infrastructure and learning materials becomes a problem.”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu
The Education Minister further proposed stronger investment in basic education to improve literacy and numeracy among school children. He explained that stronger foundational learning would support academic success at higher levels.
Moreover, Honourable Iddrisu stressed that improving reading and numeracy skills at the early stages is essential for national development. He maintained that long term educational outcomes depended heavily on quality basic education systems.
Major Rehabilitation Plan Targets Key Senior High School Facilities
The Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Honourable Haruna Iddrisu announced that Begoro Presbyterian Senior High School will benefit from a major rehabilitation programme under the government’s proposed Star G initiative. He unveiled this during parliamentary proceedings while responding to concerns about delays in infrastructure development at the school.
Moreover, the Education Minister explained that the mixed school in the Fanteakwa North District currently has a student population of 2,929. He stated that the enrolment figure includes 1,600 male students and 1,329 female students.
Honourable Iddrisu, however, specified that construction works on a new dining hall project has recorded limited progress. He informed Parliament that the facility, awarded at a contract sum of seven million cedis, was only 15 percent complete.
The Tamale South MP explained that the project was being supervised by a consultant to ensure quality delivery. He, however, acknowledged growing concern over the pace of construction works at the school.
“Government wants to implement the Star G project. Under it, a number of Senior High Schools will be rehabilitated.”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu
Honourable Iddrisu also suggested that rehabilitation of educational facilities is a necessary step to improving learning conditions. He stressed that government’s strategy would focus on upgrading critical infrastructure to support students and teachers.
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