Haruna Iddrisu requests GH‵100m for St Paul’s Technical School furniture

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has requested the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to allocate GH‵100 million to St Paul’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) School in Kukurantumi. This funding is intended to transform the Eastern Region institution into a hub for the local production of school furniture, specifically beds and desks, to alleviate the chronic shortage currently affecting senior high schools across the country.

The initiative aims to leverage the technical capacity of the school to manufacture essential items locally rather than relying on external procurement. Minister Iddrisu emphasized that this approach represents an innovative way to address the furniture deficit while promoting practical skill development. He further noted that other technical schools with the necessary manufacturing capabilities may be invited to join the partnership to ensure a steady supply of furniture for educational institutions nationwide.

In addition to the GETFund request, the Minister disclosed broader plans for education financing, including a request for US$200 million from the World Bank. These funds are intended to support a new integrated basic education model. This proposal is separate from the US$300 million already approved for the STARR-J Project, which is dedicated to constructing and upgrading facilities specifically for students with special needs.

Regarding the timeline for these improvements, Iddrisu indicated that major infrastructural projects typically require 12 to 18 months to reach completion. During his announcement, the Minister also touched upon the importance of the national democratic atmosphere, advocating for greater tolerance of dissent and the value of constructive criticism as the government works to improve the country's educational infrastructure.