The Cabinet has approved a proposed $300 million World Bank financing package to support infrastructure development in senior high schools, with Parliament expected to consider the agreement on Tuesday, July 21.

Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu disclosed this during the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, July 20, describing the funding as a major step towards addressing infrastructure challenges confronting the country's second-cycle education sector.

"Indeed, the cabinet has given its approval; parliament should look at it tomorrow of a $331 million STARR-J Project to expand access to secondary education to improve its quality and relevance in Ghana," he said.

According to the minister, once Parliament ratifies the financing agreement, the funds will be channelled into expanding and improving infrastructure in senior high schools to support the long-term sustainability of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.

Mr Iddrisu said the investment would help bridge critical infrastructure gaps, including the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, dormitories and other essential facilities, thereby creating the capacity needed to phase out the double-track system.

The $300 million financing package forms part of the Transformative Secondary Education for Access, Results and Relevance for Jobs (STARR-J) Project, which is aimed at improving access to quality secondary education while strengthening learning outcomes.

The project is intended to address infrastructure deficits that emerged following the expansion of the Free SHS policy, which led to a sharp increase in student enrolment and the introduction of the double-track system to ease congestion in schools.

READ ALSO: World Bank approves $300m STARR-J Project to end double-track SHS system by 2027

Mr Iddrisu expressed confidence that parliamentary approval would pave the way for the commencement of the project, enabling the government to accelerate efforts to improve learning conditions and sustain the gains made under the Free SHS programme.