The World Bank has sanctioned a financial package amounting to US$300 million to assist the Government of Ghana in implementing a comprehensive education reform program. This initiative aims to enhance the country’s secondary education system and eliminate the double-track system in Senior High Schools.
This funding, sanctioned under the Transformative Secondary Education for Access, Results, and Relevance for Jobs (STARR-J) Project, was announced by the Ministry of Education in a press release dated June 16, 2026.
According to the Ministry, the STARR-J Project is intended to address infrastructure deficits resulting from the expansion of Free Senior High School education, while simultaneously improving access, quality, and relevance within the secondary education sector.
Eliminating the Double-Track System
A primary goal of the project is to support the government’s commitment to phasing out the double-track system currently in operation in some Senior High Schools across the nation.
The Ministry indicated that through targeted investments in educational infrastructure, improved learning conditions, and enhanced system efficiency, Ghana anticipates that by 2027, no secondary school in the country will operate under the double-track arrangement.
The double-track system was initially introduced to accommodate increased enrollment resulting from the Free SHS policy. However, it has faced criticism concerning instructional time, academic scheduling, and the strain on school infrastructure.
Significant Investment in Human Capital Development
Commenting on the importance of the approval, the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, characterized the project as a strategic investment in Ghana’s future.
“This project represents a major investment in Ghana’s burgeoning youthful population and a strategic contribution to the country’s long-term human capital development and global competitiveness,” he stated.
According to the Minister, the initiative will not only expand learning opportunities and improve school conditions but also better align secondary education with the skills demands of the labor market.
He further noted that the project would significantly assist in addressing the infrastructure challenges associated with the expanded access to Free Senior High School education.
Enhancing Secondary Education
The STARR-J Project is anticipated to fortify Ghana’s secondary education system by expanding classroom infrastructure, improving teaching and learning environments, and ensuring that students acquire skills pertinent to national development and employment opportunities.
Education experts have consistently argued that investments in school infrastructure and learning resources are crucial to sustaining the gains made under the Free SHS program, while also enhancing educational outcomes.
Government’s Appreciation for World Bank Support
The Ministry of Education expressed gratitude to the World Bank and its partners for their continued support towards the transformation of Ghana’s education sector.
Special acknowledgment was extended to the 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 roles in securing the funding package.
The Ministry noted that the STARR-J Project reaffirms the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality secondary education and equipping Ghanaian students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy.
