Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has revealed plans for the government to release GH₵1 billion from the GETFund in 2026 to address critical infrastructure challenges facing schools across the country.
Haruna Iddrisu announced the investment is aimed at tackling long-standing infrastructure deficits and ultimately phasing out the double-track system.
Speaking during a working visit to the Upper East Region, Haruna Iddrisu stated, “This funding will help us deal decisively with infrastructure deficits and ultimately tackle the double-track system”.
He further visited Zebilla Senior High Technical School to interact with WASSCE candidates and assess the impact of the Bawku conflict.
Haruna Iddrisu added, “We need to say no to war, no to conflict. Education remains our surest bet to fight ignorance and poverty, so grab the opportunity and give it your best,” he said.
“I refused to put it on because a bulletproof jacket does not belong in an academic environment. It does not create the conducive atmosphere needed for learning to thrive.”
He further appealed for calm in Bawku, emphasising that peace is necessary to create the right environment for teaching and learning.
“Lasting peace must be restored in Bawku so that the city can be rebuilt and a serene environment for education restored,” he added.
The Education Minister further lament that the challenges faced by students in conflict areas will not be considered when being graded.
“It is unfortunate that examiners will not consider the fact that students here did not have the serenity and peace of mind to learn, yet they will be graded equally with their counterparts in peaceful areas,” he added.
In related news, Haruna Iddrisu has announced an 11-member committee to guide the reversal from double-track to single-track in SHSs and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs).
Prof. Godwin Awabil, University of Cape Coast (UCC), is the chair of the committee tasked with reviewing the 2024/2025 academic calendar and proposing a roadmap for a single-track.
Haruna Iddrisu has said the former government’s double-track system in Senior High Schools (SHSs) negatively affected the quality of education.
The Education Minister noted that the double-track system reduced contact hours and study time for students in the Senior High School.
Speaking at a media briefing on Sunday, August 24, 2025, Haruna Iddrisu stated, “The double-track system has impacted negatively on the quality and outcomes of education under the Free SHS policy. Students have fewer contact hours and less study time, which affects their performance.
“Government’s commitment to ending the system can only be realised at three levels: expanding infrastructure, strengthening digital resources in schools, and allowing private SHSs to absorb qualified students to ease the pressure,” he said at a media briefing.
Meanwhile, some students of the Tamale Technical University on Tuesday, September 16, held a protest against what they claim is management neglect and misappropriation of the school’s funds and baseless fee increment.
Reports suggest the student, in their protest, blocked all entry points of the school and also burnt lorry tyres at the administration.
The student later clashed with the police, and scores of students sustained various degrees of injuries after the students clashed with police during a protest against the management of the school.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Musa Mahamudu, the demonstration was to demand better welfare for students and the development of the university.
Musa Mahamudu stated, “Our main aim for this demonstration is the issue we have at hand with management. Which has to do with the compressing issues that affect students in this university.
“Let’s talk about hostels, lecture halls, campus comfortability etc. Over the years, we have been paying school fees, and there are levies for development supposed to development this university,” he stated.
They further petitioned the Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu to address their grievances.
“We are compelled to bring to your urgent attention issues of systematic neglect of students’ welfare, alleged misapplication of funds and the proposed increment of fees without justification.
“These actions in our view contravene the principle of equity of accountability and quality education enshrined in the 1992 constitution of Ghana,” portions of the petition read.
They added that the school’s infrastructure is in a deplorable state despite paying levies and fees, and called on management to ensure judicious use of the monies paid.