Education Minister, Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum has announced plans to affiliate newly established schools with existing high-performing ones to ensure a leveled quality of education across the country.

The new strategy aims to expedite the progress of freshly established second-cycle institutions to fast rise to become top-performing schools.

The minister says the initiative will eliminate the overwhelming inclination towards schools recognized as top-performing and the neglect of other equally good schools in the country.

Many ‘Grade A’ second-cycle schools, often in the urban areas, receive overwhelming enrollment due to strong perception and recognition as having better education standards.

However, the situation is different in rural and newly-established schools where poor attendance rates are recorded.

In view of this, the Minister of Education, Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum is proposing new reforms to allow for high-performing schools to mentor new government schools.

The schools will share knowledge, expertise and resources to elevate and level the standards of education in all corners of the country.

“We want to make sure they don't stay there for more than 59 years before they become top-performing schools like Opoku Ware or Wesley Girls. Parents want the best for their wards so they will choose the best. These efforts make sure that there are many top schools available to choose from,” he said.

The Minister for Education was speaking at a stakeholder dialogue with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) across the country on government's investments made into the education sector, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

The meeting is aimed at enlightening MMDCEs on the ministry’s innovative policies implemented to improve Ghana’s education system.

Dr Yaw Adutwum said the stakeholder dialogue will allow grassroots leaders to appreciate and share new sector developments in their jurisdictions.

“It's important to bring the leaders in our districts and municipality to dialogue so that if there is something we should correct, we do it and have a better system,” he said.

Some MMDCEs commended the Minister on the sector’s new paradigm shift.

“Dr Adutwum has changed the face of TVET to a more attractive course of study. This puts him high as a viable candidate to go boot-for-boot with NDC’s vice presidential candidate.

“Looking at the investment and direction of the system has made it clear that we are on the path to a robust system,” they said.