Haruna Iddrisu advocates for increased boarding facilities in rural SHSs to boost education access

The Education Minister-designate, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for the expansion of boarding facilities in rural Senior High Schools (SHSs) as a pivotal measure to enhance access to quality education for students in underserved areas.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee during his vetting, Mr. Iddrisu highlighted the challenges faced by students in rural communities, where poor transportation networks hinder regular school attendance.

“For many children in rural areas, Members of Parliament often have to provide bicycles to help them commute to school daily,” he noted.

“To ensure access to quality education, students in these deprived areas need greater support, which is why increasing boarding facilities is so important.”

The Minister-designate stressed that better boarding options would alleviate the strain of long-distance travel for students, enabling them to focus more on their academics.

“Investing in boarding facilities for rural schools is critical to leveling the playing field and giving all students equal opportunities to succeed,” he added.

Addressing questions on the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s education policy, Mr. Iddrisu clarified that the party’s manifesto promised free university admission for first-year students, which specifically referred to admission fees rather than tuition.

“Tuition is already free in all public universities in Ghana. Our promise relates to admission fees, and for students who have already paid these fees, arrangements will be made for refunds,” he explained.

Mr. Iddrisu reaffirmed his commitment to improving the education system, particularly in rural areas, as a key priority in his tenure as Education Minister.

“Enhancing boarding facilities in rural SHSs is a fundamental step toward ensuring that every child, irrespective of their location, has access to quality education,” he reiterated.

The Minister-designate’s emphasis on bridging the rural-urban education gap aligns with the government’s broader goal of providing equitable and inclusive education for all Ghanaian students.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith