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Government will next year initiate the construction of 180 canteen blocks in some existing day senior high schools.

In addition, government will also initiate the upgrading of 42 public senior high schools into model schools, the 2018 budget statement has revealed.

The government has also secured $40 million under the Secondary Education Improvement Project to expand and upgrade facilities in 75 selected senior high schools (SHS).

20 Modern TVET schools
The construction of 20 modern TVET schools and 10 Regional STEM centres will also commence in 2018.

This initiative and many others were in response to the acknowledgement by government that there were challenges, but it was determined to go the extra mile to fix them.

69,500 Mono desks to be supplied
The government is to also supply 69,500 mono desks to schools that had been struggling with inadequate furniture.

13,100 Bunk beds
In addition, 13,100 bunk beds, furniture for dining halls, teachers’ common room, computer laboratories and the distribution of marker boards would also be provided.

According to the budget, steps are being taken to whip up the interest of school children in the pursuit of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

38,715 Basic schools to receive STEM equipment
The target is to equip 38,715 basic schools with STEM equipment and train in excess of 38,000 basic school teachers to aid effective teaching of these subjects.

86% Progress on 23 new senior high schools
A total of 86 per cent overall progress was achieved on the construction of 23 new senior high schools.

46 Out of the 50 facilities under SEIP being upgraded
In addition, 46 out of the 50 facilities being upgraded under the Secondary Education Improvement Programme (SEIP) were also completed and handed over.
125 Low-performing senior high schools
As part of measures to improve quality of education in 125 low-performing senior high schools, a total of 1,000 science and mathematics teachers were trained in modern methods of delivery.

ICT-based instruction for SHS 1 and 2
In addition, Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based instruction for SHS 1 and 2 core-subjects were also rolled out in 70 senior high schools through the deployment of the iBox, which is an ICT package containing lesson texts, video, interactive exercises and practical lessons.

COTVET occupational standards
The Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) developed occupational standards for six generic courses; namely, English, Mathematics, General Science, Entrepreneurship, Interpersonal Studies, and ICT for National Certificate I and II.

Competency-based Training
In addition, Competency-based Training (CBT) packages for Electronics and Mechanical Engineering Technology for National Certificate II were developed and 230 Facilitators and Assessors, Internal and External Verifiers trained in CBT Quality Assurance.

TVET reforms to continue
In 2018, the ministry will continue with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reforms, leading to the alignment of public TVET institutions under the Ministry of Education.
The strategic goal of Technical and Vocational Education and Training is to make Ghana a world-class centre for skills development, a leading country in TVET delivery in Africa.

A TVET strategic policy document leading to TVET Bill and the creation of a TVET Service was developed and submitted to Cabinet for approval.