Deputy Minister nominee for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has strongly criticized the continued existence of schools operating under trees, calling it a national disgrace that hampers Ghana’s progress and denies children access to proper education.

Dr. Apaak’s concerns come after revelations by Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, that approximately 5,000 schools nationwide still lack proper infrastructure, forcing children to learn in makeshift environments.

“Schools Under Trees Do Not Befit Ghana’s Status”

During his vetting session on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Dr. Apaak emphasized that the spectacle of children learning under trees in modern Ghana is unacceptable and undermines the country’s development efforts.

“The spectacle of schools under trees does not befit the status and age of our nation,” he lamented.

He further explained that this longstanding issue is a result of Ghana’s inability to match educational infrastructure development with population growth.

“As our population expands, we continue to produce more children, but we are not matching this growth with adequate school facilities,” he added.

Communities Forced to Create Makeshift Schools

Dr. Apaak noted that many rural communities, experiencing increasing numbers of school-age children, often take matters into their own hands by setting up informal schools under trees due to the absence of proper school buildings.

He described the situation as a national issue that requires urgent intervention.

Call for Urgent Action Despite Economic Challenges

Acknowledging Ghana’s current economic struggles, Dr. Apaak stressed the need for a collective effort to ensure that no child is denied access to quality education due to inadequate infrastructure.

“We must come together, even in these challenging times, to find the necessary resources to eliminate schools under trees. Education is a right, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure every child has access to proper learning facilities,” he said.

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Government’s Commitment to Addressing the Issue

With education as a top national priority, Dr. Apaak urged policymakers, stakeholders, and development partners to accelerate efforts in providing modern school infrastructure across the country.

His remarks have sparked renewed calls for increased government investment in basic education infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

As Ghana works towards achieving inclusive and equitable education, the challenge of schools under trees remains a critical issue that requires urgent policy intervention and sustained funding.

Clement Apaak Condemns ‘Schools Under Trees’ as a National Disgrace

Source: myjoyonline