Government to Upgrade 30 Category C Schools with New Infrastructure, Announces President Mahama

Tamale: President John Dramani Mahama has announced that starting next year, the government will embark on a project to upgrade 30 Category C Senior High Schools with new infrastructure. This initiative will include the construction of dormitories, laboratories, classroom blocks, and STEM facilities. The aim is to ensure that every student placed in Senior High Schools nationwide will have access to quality education facilities, ultimately facilitating their admission into tertiary education. According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama made these remarks during the 65th anniversary celebration of Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO) in Tamale, which is his alma mater. Accompanied by First Lady Mrs. Lordina Mahama, who is also an alumna of GHANASCO, the event saw a significant turnout, including Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, high-ranking officials from various institutions, alumni, current students, and the general public. President Mahama addressed the challenges linked to the school placem ent system, attributing them partly to the disparities among Category A, B, and C schools. As part of the solution, the government plans to upgrade 30 Category C Senior High Schools. Furthermore, the government intends to complete 30 abandoned E-blocks initiated during Mahama's first term as President to enhance access to secondary education. The President also highlighted ongoing reforms in the secondary education sector. He emphasized that the Free SHS Programme has been bolstered with dedicated funding, ensuring the timely release of resources to schools and the National Food Buffer Stock Company, thereby preventing food shortages. In a bid to improve GHANASCO's infrastructure, President Mahama assured the construction of a new classroom block, a boys' dormitory, the provision of a school bus, an upgrade of science laboratories, and the construction of a 5,000-seat auditorium. Additionally, the teachers' bungalows at GHANASCO are set to receive a facelift. Addressing the school's water crisis, President Mahama revealed that the construction of mechanized boreholes has been approved. He also mentioned that the Damango-Tamale Water Project, set to commence next year, will draw water from the White Volta at Yapei. Upon completion, this project is expected to resolve GHANASCO's water issues permanently.