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Dr Clement Abas Apaak says Ghana must pay greater attention to whether children are enrolled at the appropriate age and progressing through school as expected, despite gains in access to education.
Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has cautioned that rising school enrolment figures do not necessarily translate into children learning at the expected age and level, calling for greater attention to educational outcomes.
Speaking at the launch of the Colgate Scholarship Campaign at the Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra on October 21, 2026, Dr Apaak said Ghana had made progress in expanding access to education, with kindergarten enrolment more than doubling and senior high school enrolment nearly tripling.
Primary school enrolment had also recorded steady growth, while junior high school enrolment had increased significantly, according to his address.
However, Dr Apaak identified net enrolment rates as a continuing concern, highlighting the need to ensure that children enter school at the appropriate age and progress through the education system as expected.
“A child counted as enrolled is not the same as a child learning on time, in the right class, at the right age,” he said.
Net enrolment measures the proportion of children of the official school-age group enrolled at the corresponding level of education. The distinction matters because overall enrolment figures may not fully reflect whether children are entering school at the right age or progressing through the system on schedule.
Dr Apaak’s remarks underscore the need to assess education not only by the number of children enrolled but also by their progression and the learning opportunities available to them.
Government cites GH¢42.16bn education allocation
Dr Apaak cited GH¢42.16 billion allocated to the education sector in the 2025 Budget Statement through government funding, the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and development partners.
According to his address, the allocation included GH¢9.1 billion for basic education, GH¢3.5 billion for the Free Senior High School programme and GH¢564.6 million for curriculum-based textbooks.
He also cited GH¢300 million allocated in the 2026 Budget for continuing scholarship commitments and new beneficiaries of local and international scholarships.
The figures were presented as evidence of public investment in education, alongside a call for greater participation from the private sector and other partners to support efforts to address educational needs.
Colgate, Melcom launch scholarship campaign
Dr Apaak made the remarks at the launch of a scholarship campaign by Colgate-Palmolive Ghana and Melcom aimed at supporting students and their families.
The campaign will provide 16 scholarships valued at GH¢15,000 each, amounting to GH¢240,000 in educational support. The package also includes GH¢120,000 in Melcom shopping vouchers for families, bringing the total support to GH¢360,000.
The scholarships are intended to support educational expenses, including fees, approved levies and learning materials, while the vouchers will provide additional assistance to families.
The initiative highlights the role businesses can play in supporting access to education, particularly for students whose families face financial constraints.
Education as a constitutional right
Dr Apaak also referred to Article 25 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which guarantees equal educational opportunities and facilities and provides for free, compulsory and available basic education.
He stressed that education should be treated as a right rather than a privilege, with financial barriers not preventing children from accessing schooling.
His address also linked education to health, emphasising the importance of ensuring that children are healthy and ready to learn.
While the address cited gains in enrolment and substantial public spending, it did not provide the latest net enrolment rates or specific learning achievement figures to quantify the remaining gaps.
Dr Apaak’s message was that expanding access must go hand in hand with ensuring that children attend school at the appropriate age, progress through the education system and receive the resources needed to learn.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com| 102.7 MHz| Bolgatanga
