There are 5,000 schools under trees – Haruna Iddrissu

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has revealed that approximately 5,000 schools across the country are still operating without the approved infrastructure.

Speaking in Accra on Monday, February 17, during a public forum held on education, he said, “We have an infrastructure deficit of about five thousand schools still under trees.”

However, he assured that the new government is committed to addressing this issue and closing the gap in the nation’s education sector. “There will be massive investment in education infrastructure, with the first phase being unveiled in the 2025 budget statement,” he said.

He emphasised, “We will work to close the gaps.”

The issue of schools under trees has been a longstanding challenge, particularly in rural and under-served areas.

It refers to the practice of holding classes in open spaces under trees or dilapidated pavilions due to a lack of proper school infrastructure.

These makeshift classrooms result from limited access to formal school buildings, a shortage of educational facilities, and an underfunded education system in some regions.

In response to these challenges, the government has launched initiatives to address them, including the establishment of a committee for National Education Reform. The committee is tasked with gathering public recommendations on how to reform the education sector.

President Mahama has also pledged that his government will prioritise education, ensuring that it becomes both affordable and of high quality.