President Mahama Inaugurates Paga SHS E-Block, Announces Expansion Plans

Key Takeaways

• The Paga Senior High School E-Block has been inaugurated by President John Dramani Mahama, bringing the previously abandoned facility into use.
• The President announced plans to expand infrastructure at Paga SHS, including the construction of additional facilities and upgrading the school into a full boarding institution.
• The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) will provide additional facilities, including a girls' dormitory, a boys' dormitory, and a dining hall, as well as a 60-seater bus.
• The inauguration is part of President Mahama's commitment to completing abandoned E-Block projects across the country and expanding access to secondary education.

The Paga Senior High School E-Block has been inaugurated by President John Dramani Mahama, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to improve access to secondary education. The facility, which was previously abandoned, has been brought into use, providing students with a modern and well-equipped learning environment.

The inauguration is part of President Mahama's commitment to completing abandoned E-Block projects across the country, a pledge he made during his first administration. The E-Block initiative aimed to construct 200 Community Day Senior High Schools across the country, with a focus on underserved communities. Although the Mahama administration was unable to deliver all 200 schools before leaving office, successive governments have continued work on some of the inherited projects.

Background & Context

The E-Block initiative was first introduced during President Mahama's first administration as part of the NDC's 2012 manifesto commitment. The plan was to construct 50 schools annually over four years to expand access to secondary education, particularly in underserved communities. However, the Mahama administration was unable to deliver all 200 schools before leaving office in January 2017.

Records indicate that contracts had been awarded for about 123 schools, with 46 reported completed and several others at various stages of construction. Successive governments continued work on some of the inherited projects, although several remained incomplete. The Akufo-Addo administration reported completing some E-Blocks inherited from the Mahama government, including 13 by 2018, but did not complete all the outstanding projects before leaving office.

Key Findings

The inauguration of the Paga SHS E-Block marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to improve access to secondary education. The facility, which was previously abandoned, has been brought into use, providing students with a modern and well-equipped learning environment.

The President announced plans to expand infrastructure at Paga SHS, including the construction of additional facilities and upgrading the school into a full boarding institution. The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) will provide additional facilities, including a girls' dormitory, a boys' dormitory, and a dining hall, as well as a 60-seater bus.

Broader Implications

The inauguration of the Paga SHS E-Block is part of President Mahama's broader efforts to improve access, infrastructure, and learning outcomes in the country's secondary education system. The President has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to completing the remaining abandoned E-Blocks and constructing new ones in high-population-density areas under the STAR-G project.

The infrastructure expansion is expected to support the government's target of completely phasing out the double-track system by 2027. The President has also reiterated his administration's commitment to the Free Senior High School programme, which has secured dedicated and sustainable funding.

Looking Ahead

The inauguration of the Paga SHS E-Block marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to improve access to secondary education. The facility, which was previously abandoned, has been brought into use, providing students with a modern and well-equipped learning environment.

The President has announced plans to expand infrastructure at Paga SHS, including the construction of additional facilities and upgrading the school into a full boarding institution. The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) will provide additional facilities, including a girls' dormitory, a boys' dormitory, and a dining hall, as well as a 60-seater bus.