World Bank Approves $300 Million Project to Support Ghana’s Secondary Education Reforms

The World Bank has approved a US$300 million financing package to support Ghana’s efforts to strengthen secondary education and eliminate the double-track system in senior high schools.

The funding will support the implementation of the Transformative Secondary Education for Access, Results and Relevance for Jobs (STARR-J) Project, a major education initiative aimed at expanding access to quality secondary education, improving learning outcomes, and addressing infrastructure challenges within the sector.

According to the Ministry of Education, the project is expected to help resolve infrastructure deficits that emerged following the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy. Through investments in classroom facilities, improved learning environments and enhanced system efficiency, the government expects to phase out the double-track system nationwide by 2027.

Speaking on the significance of the approval, Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, described the project as a strategic investment in Ghana’s youth and long-term human capital development.

He noted that the initiative would not only improve school infrastructure and learning conditions but also ensure that secondary education is better aligned with the skills required in the modern labour market.

The Ministry of Education expressed appreciation to the World Bank, the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders for their support in securing the funding.

Government says the STARR-J Project reflects its commitment to providing equitable access to quality education and equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy.