The World Bank’s Board has approved a US$300 million financing package for Ghana. This funding supports the government’s plan to end the double-track system in Senior High Schools.
This major intervention, known as the Secondary Education Transformation for Access, Relevance and Results for Jobs (STARR-J) Project, aims to strengthen Ghana’s secondary education system. The project seeks to expand access to education, improve its quality and relevance, and fix critical infrastructure shortfalls that arose from the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.
Ghana’s Free SHS policy, implemented in 2017, significantly increased student enrollment, leading to the introduction of the double-track system. This system allowed more students to attend school by staggering school sessions, but it also raised concerns about contact hours and learning quality. Addressing these infrastructure deficits is crucial for Ghana’s long-term human capital development and its position within the broader West African economic bloc. This investment aligns with the government's broader economic strategy to improve workforce skills and reduce youth unemployment.
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, commented on the approval’s importance. He stated the project represents a significant investment in Ghana's youthful population. Iddrisu called it a strategic contribution to the country’s long-term human development and global competitiveness. The Minister expects the project to expand learning opportunities and improve school conditions.
The project will specifically target investments in educational infrastructure, leading to improved learning environments. The government expects no secondary school in Ghana to operate under the double-track system by 2027. This move will enhance system efficiency and ensure more consistent learning for students. The Ministry of Education also expressed gratitude to the World Bank Country Director, Robert Taliercio O’Brien, and the Ministry of Finance for their continued support.
This initiative will help better align secondary education with the skills needed by the labour market. Industries across Ghana, including manufacturing and services, require a skilled workforce. This project intends to bridge existing skill gaps. It will also reduce the pressure on existing school facilities, which often face overcrowding issues. Successful implementation of the STARR-J Project could boost economic productivity by enhancing the quality of Ghana’s future workforce.
Ultimately, this investment reinforces Ghana’s commitment to providing equitable access to quality education. Improved educational outcomes could lead to higher employment rates and increased per capita income. Decision-makers and the public will closely observe the project’s progress in meeting its 2027 deadline. The successful termination of the double-track system will be an important indicator of the project’s effectiveness and the government's commitment to educational reform. This will also potentially attract further international investment in Ghana’s social sectors.