Accra: The World Bank has approved a $300 million financing package to support Ghana's implementation of the Transformative Secondary Education for Access, Results and Relevance for Jobs (STARR-J) Project. The initiative aims to eliminate the double-track system in Senior High Schools by 2027 through investments in educational infrastructure, improved learning conditions, and enhanced system efficiency.
According to Ghana News Agency, a statement from the Ministry of Education, signed by Press Secretary Hashmin Mohammed, highlighted that the initiative would strengthen Ghana's secondary education system by expanding access while improving quality and relevance. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu described the project as a significant investment in Ghana's youthful population and a strategic contribution to long-term human capital development and global competitiveness.
The Minister emphasized that the project would better align secondary education with labor market demands and help address infrastructure deficits associated with expanded access to Free Secondary Education. He expressed gratitude to World Bank Country Director Robert Taliercio O'Brien, the World Bank Education Team, and the Ministry of Finance, led by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, for their ongoing support in transforming Ghana's education sector.
The statement further noted that the STARR-J Project reaffirms the Government's commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality secondary education and equipping students with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in a competitive global economy.