The government has unveiled plans to construct 600 new basic school facilities nationwide as part of efforts to eliminate the longstanding practice of pupils being taught under trees.

Deputy Minister for Education, Clement Apaak, stated that the project will include 200 junior high schools, 200 kindergarten blocks, and 200 primary school blocks, targeting infrastructure gaps exacerbated by rapid population growth.

He made the announcement during a courtesy visit by 52 top BECE awardees, emphasising that the administration inherited over 5,000 makeshift schools operating under trees and is committed to eradicating the problem.

Dr Apaak highlighted that the initiative, reaffirmed by President John Dramani Mahama in the State of the Nation Address and supported by allocations in the 2026 Budget, is designed to provide pupils with safer and more conducive learning environments.

“In many communities, where the population warrants a school, residents often establish makeshift schools under trees because the state has not kept pace with growth. We inherited over 5,000 such schools, and we are taking deliberate steps to address this,” he said.

He added, “As part of this effort, we will be constructing 200 junior high schools, 200 kindergartens, and 200 primary school blocks to ensure children have access to proper classrooms.”