Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has highlighted the strides the Ministry is making in transforming senior high school (SHS) education in the country.

He stated that the transformation aims to move the education sector from outdated practices into the 21st century, where technology drives learning.

“We cannot educate 21st-century children in 19th-century buildings and expect 21st-century outcomes,” he stated, stressing the need for modernization in both infrastructure and teaching methods.

Dr. Adutwum made these remarks at the opening of the 62nd Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS).

He noted that the Ministry’s efforts are part of a broader initiative to ensure Ghana’s education system keeps pace with the rapidly evolving technological world.

He also highlighted progress with the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) policy, noting the introduction of new courses in several schools.

“As we speak about STEM education, several schools have piloted new STEM courses, and now they will be regular courses. Some have done robotics, engineering, manufacturing engineering, aviation and aerospace, biomedical science, design communication technology, performing arts, Arabic, and computer science,” Dr Adutwum said.

On the integration of technology, Dr. Adutwum announced plans to install e-books on laptops for students.

“We are not talking about PDF versions of books. E-books function differently, allowing students to move from a page on the screen to videos or audio clips that help them understand concepts better,” he added.

Additionally, he mentioned that new science laboratories have been provided to some schools and that this initiative will be expanded to all secondary schools across the country.

He stressed the need for educational transformation to keep Ghana competitive in the global landscape.

The Minister urged school heads to prioritize the maintenance of infrastructure to extend its lifespan.

He announced that the Ministry is setting up maintenance committees in schools, with allocated funds to ensure the upkeep of facilities in STEM-focused schools.

Indiscipline in Schools

Dr. Adutwum also addressed the issue of indiscipline in senior high schools, advocating for zero tolerance.

He stated that creating a disciplined environment requires a comprehensive approach.

“Maintaining discipline is not a fiction; it means we have to do many things simultaneously,” he explained.

He called for improved counselling and guidance services in schools to support student behaviour.

The Minister announced that school counsellors would undergo training to help students understand the consequences of their actions.

He further stated that testimonials from secondary schools will become a requirement for admission into higher education institutions, a measure aimed at curbing indiscipline, particularly among final-year students.

Dr Adutwum also urged school heads to implement strict punitive measures to tackle recalcitrant behaviour in schools.f schools to implement punitive measures to help curb indiscipline.