Across Ghana, over 5,400 basic schools still operate under trees or in makeshift structures, leaving thousands of children without shelter, desks, or trained teachers. As the world advances in educational technology, many Ghanaian children remain in dire conditions—highlighting deep inequalities in access to quality education.
Recent data shows that 1.2 million children aged 4–17 have never attended school, with 30 dropping out each day. A key factor is the shortage of accessible, well-equipped schools, especially in rural areas. Critics point to skewed budget priorities: in 2023, only 20% of the Ministry of Education’s budget went to basic education, while tertiary institutions and administrative costs received the lion’s share.
Advocates estimate GHS 3.5 billion is needed to end the “schools under trees” crisis. They argue that better use of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) could have resolved the issue between 2021 and 2024. Now, with Parliament approving GHS 800 million for basic education in 2024—the highest in seven years—there’s renewed hope. Civil society groups are urging the government to prioritize deprived communities and redirect oil revenues toward foundational education.
Beyond the numbers are real children whose dreams are at stake because of all the odds stacked against them.
There is growing consensus among civil society organizations such as Campaign Against Privatization and Commercialization of Education (CAPCOE), EDUWATCH, Education International (EI) and the Frederich Egbert Foundation (FES) that, ending the practice of teaching and learning under trees is not a luxury—it is a necessity. As Ghana positions itself as a leader in West Africa, calls are mounting for the country to put its youngest citizens first. Education, they say, is a right—not a privilege—and the time to act is now.
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