Two new community day senior high schools planned to be developed in Nima in Accra and Kasoa in the Central Region under the projected STAR-J infrastructure programme aimed at boosting access to secondary education and relieving pressure on existing schools.
Speaking at a “Government Accountability Series” press conference in Accra on Monday, July 20, 2026, Minister of Education Mr. Haruna Iddrisu stated that the project was a component of initiatives to boost enrolment under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
He stated that rather than turning the current schools into boarding establishments, the government had chosen to construct more community day schools.
“It is the view of President John Dramani Mahama that we should encourage the establishment of community day schools in the category of what is in Kwabenya. So we’ll build one in Nima and one in Kasoa as part of the STAR-J project,” Mr. Iddrisu stated.
The minister clarified that over 1.5 million pupils were enrolled under the Free SHS policy, placing strain on classrooms and other educational resources nationwide.
He stated that the STAR-J program, which had been approved by the Cabinet, will enhance certain Category B and Category C schools, create new classroom blocks, and renovate senior high schools and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) facilities.
Mr. Iddrisu indicated that the planned community day senior high school in Nima could be transformed into a science school in response to enquiries following his presentation.
He stated, “We have no difficulty at all establishing that senior high school as a science school. The honourable Member of Parliament for the area has written formally to me, dedicating land for that purpose.”
Regarding the planned school in Kasoa, Mr. Iddrisu stated that the project was required due to the municipality’s quick population expansion.
“I hope you know the population of Kasoa. Whether one senior high school will be enough for them is a growing population and we need to expand their access to secondary education. We probably may locate it not as close to the original one but in another populated area,” he said.
According to Mr. Iddrisu, the initiatives were a part of the government’s aim to expand secondary school access while resolving infrastructure issues brought on by expanding enrolment.
Source: newsthemegh.com