A prominent education watchdog has sounded the alarm about the deepening educational disparities between rural and urban areas in Ghana. African Education Watch, a respected think tank, points out that the country's budget allocation system severely neglects rural schools, creating massive infrastructure and learning challenges.
During a parliamentary budget workshop, EduWatch Executive Director Kofi Asare called out the systemic budget inequities. He highlighted the critical situation where thousands of schools operate under makeshift conditions like trees and temporary sheds. The organization stressed that budget planning completely overlooks the infrastructure needs of rural educational institutions.
Asare raised serious concerns about multiple funding challenges. With USAID pulling back educational support, over 1,200 disadvantaged schools in northern Ghana urgently need comprehensive assistance. He specifically recommended restructuring the GHC 145 million Capitation Grant to ensure timely and effective fund distribution through the GETFund.
The education watchdog revealed staggering infrastructure deficits across basic education. Approximately 5,300 schools still function under substandard conditions. The organization calculated a massive US$3 billion infrastructure financing gap for the 2025-2030 period. Junior high schools face significant shortages, with 3,600 schools and 800,000 student desks lacking. Asare appealed directly to the Finance Minister to redirect substantial funds toward improving rural educational infrastructure.
During a parliamentary budget workshop, EduWatch Executive Director Kofi Asare called out the systemic budget inequities. He highlighted the critical situation where thousands of schools operate under makeshift conditions like trees and temporary sheds. The organization stressed that budget planning completely overlooks the infrastructure needs of rural educational institutions.
Asare raised serious concerns about multiple funding challenges. With USAID pulling back educational support, over 1,200 disadvantaged schools in northern Ghana urgently need comprehensive assistance. He specifically recommended restructuring the GHC 145 million Capitation Grant to ensure timely and effective fund distribution through the GETFund.
The education watchdog revealed staggering infrastructure deficits across basic education. Approximately 5,300 schools still function under substandard conditions. The organization calculated a massive US$3 billion infrastructure financing gap for the 2025-2030 period. Junior high schools face significant shortages, with 3,600 schools and 800,000 student desks lacking. Asare appealed directly to the Finance Minister to redirect substantial funds toward improving rural educational infrastructure.
