Government Plans to Upgrade 10 Category B SHSs to Category A in 2026, Says Education Minister
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu announced on October 14, 2025, that the government is developing a proposal to elevate 10 Category B senior high schools (SHSs) to Category A status and 10 Category C schools to Category B, aiming to address Ghana’s chronic school placement challenges by 2026.
Speaking at the ADEA Triennale on Education Conference in Accra, Iddrisu highlighted the strain of 393,000 qualified applicants vying for just 76,000 SHS vacancies, describing it as a “near impossibility” for equitable access.
The initiative, discussed with President Mahama, will involve significant infrastructure investments, including classroom blocks, dormitories, and enhanced teaching materials, to boost capacity and quality.
Iddrisu emphasized the need for budgetary support, noting, “I will need budgetary support and allocation to do that.”
The announcement follows a September 30, 2025, petition by unpaid teachers, who have gone 13 months without salaries, prompting Iddrisu to assure a joint memorandum with the Finance Ministry to Cabinet.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) data shows Category A schools, like Wesley Girls’ and Prempeh College, dominate placements, leaving Category B and C schools underutilized.
The upgrade aligns with efforts to expand Free SHS access, though challenges like the Odoben SHS classroom lockout over unpaid debts highlight funding gaps.
