A former GES Director-General Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwah and Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Eduwatch, have debated the implications of the NDC’s promise to uncap the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GetFund) if it wins power.

According to Prof. Opoku-Amankwah, the current capped state of GetFund has, surprisingly, driven effective infrastructure development and should not be the only focus for addressing educational infrastructure gaps.

“The GetFund that has been capped has produced more than it might have uncapped,” Prof. Opoku-Amankwah stated, addressing the NDC’s claims that freeing up more funds through an uncapped GetFund could quickly solve the infrastructural needs in education.

He elaborated that by capping and securitising the fund, Ghana’s education sector has been able to undertake extensive projects efficiently.

“What they did was that they securitised their system, borrowed ahead, and were able to build more infrastructure,” he explained.

Prof. Opoku-Amankwah further argued that focusing on uncapping GetFund may overlook other effective initiatives that contribute to educational infrastructure.

“Beyond that, it is not only GetFund that provides infrastructure,” he said, stating that “there are many other programs under the Ministry of Education that also contribute significantly to infrastructure.”

This multi-pronged approach, he suggested, is essential for sustainable development in the sector, a perspective he believes may be missing in the NDC’s plans to rely primarily on uncapping GetFund.

Kofi Asare, representing Eduwatch, acknowledged the value of GetFund but urged that the infrastructure challenges facing education extend beyond funding alone.

He cautioned against putting excessive reliance on GetFund, especially with plans to expand Free SHS access to private schools.

“The NDC wants to add private schools to Free SHS, but they must understand that we’re already stretched,” Mr Asare argued, suggesting that an influx of new students under Free SHS could worsen the double-track system and strain resources.

Prof. Opoku-Amankwah provided an update on the current double-track calendar, explaining that the system now operates on a “transitional calendar.”

This model is less rigid than the initial double-track structure introduced in 2018.

“Under the transitional calendar, the cohorts rotate more fluidly,” he described, adding that this setup has allowed schools to maximize existing infrastructure by utilising space effectively across different grade levels.

“For example, if a school has space for 4,000 students, under the current arrangement, that space can accommodate up to 6,000 students by rotating cohorts.”

He pointed out that the success of this model is not solely due to physical infrastructure but also the optimisation of resources and planning.

“It’s not so much about the long period students spend in school, but about the contact hours,” Prof. Opoku-Amankwah emphasised, noting that the quality of education relies as much on how time is used as on the spaces themselves.

Responding to the NDC’s argument, Mr Asare highlighted the importance of strategically expanding infrastructure without creating unmanageable burdens.

“If the NDC is serious about ending double-track and addressing our infrastructure gaps, the first focus should be on optimising current resources,” he noted, reiterating that the sector’s needs are complex and cannot be solved by simply freeing up more funds.

He emphasised that adding private schools to Free SHS would “stretch resources,” a move he believes could compromise quality education delivery.

Prof. Opoku-Amankwah concluded that while GetFund is vital, its uncapping should be part of a broader strategy rather than seen as a standalone solution.

“It’s not just about money from GetFund but how we leverage and coordinate all resources under the Ministry of Education,” he said.

Both experts agreed that Ghana’s educational challenges are multi-layered, encompassing infrastructure, funding, and logistical issues that need a balanced approach.