Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu Secures $300 Million World Bank Facility to End SHS Double-Track System by 2029

22nd July•2 min read•7 sources

Parliament has ratified a $300 million credit facility from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) to fund the Secondary Education Transformation for Access, Relevance and Results for Jobs (STARR-J) project. This investment, bolstered by an additional $31 million from the Government of Ghana, is designed to overhaul senior high school (SHS) infrastructure and directly address the overcrowding that necessitated the double-track system. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu emphasized that the project is a cornerstone of President John Mahama’s strategy to ensure that educational facilities keep pace with high enrollment numbers while enhancing the overall quality of secondary education.

The project’s financial structure allocates approximately $257.7 million to physical works, focusing on the construction of 10 new senior high schools and the rehabilitation of 210 educational institutions, including 112 SHSs and 38 technical and vocational (TVET) centers. A significant highlight of the expansion includes the construction of new community day senior high schools in Nima and Kasoa. The Nima facility is expected to specialize in science education to meet specific local demand, while the Kasoa school will provide much-needed relief for one of the country’s most rapidly growing populations.

During a recent briefing in July 2026, Minister Haruna Iddrisu set a definitive target to completely phase out the SHS double-track system by 2029. While this timeline represents an adjustment to President Mahama’s initial 2027 goal, the Minister noted that the scale of the STAR-J upgrades requires a realistic window to ensure value-for-money and structural integrity. The initiative has received bipartisan endorsement, with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin acknowledging the project’s continuity with long-standing educational policies. Deputy Minister of Finance Thomas Nyarko Ampem further highlighted the concessional nature of the loan, which features a 30-year repayment term and a five-year grace period.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the STARR-J initiative introduces a comprehensive approach to student and teacher welfare. Plans include the construction of 50,000 teacher housing units, the establishment of a dedicated TVET Fund, and the distribution of 12.2 million sanitary pads to female students to promote health and consistent school attendance. Additionally, $33.8 million is designated for professional teacher development and curriculum reforms. As the Ministry prepares for the release of the 2026 BECE results by late July, these systemic investments signal a long-term commitment to aligning Ghana’s secondary education system with the evolving needs of the global labor market.

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Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu Secures $300 Million World Bank Facility to End SHS Double-Track System by 2029

More from education

Obuasi East Assembly Supports SHS Fire Victims as Challenging Heights Strengthens Child Protection Governance

Local Leaders and Philanthropists Spearhead Educational Support in Jirapa and Ekumfi Municipalities

Youth Minister and Education Leaders Advocate for Values-Based Development and Growth Mindset in Ghana

CSIR-WRI Introduces Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture System to Boost Food Production and Sustainability