What the announcement says

During the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement, Dr. Ato Forson said the government will complete 30 abandoned E-Block projects — Community Day Senior High School blocks — in urban and peri-urban areas to add classroom capacity where demand is highest. 0

How this fits into the bigger plan

The completion of these E-Blocks is part of the new Ghana Secondary Learning Improvement Programme (GSLIP), a two-year effort (2026–2027) designed to eliminate the double-track system by expanding physical capacity, upgrading selected schools, and investing in learning resources. The 2026 allocation for this programme includes a dedicated education envelope to support construction, labs, furniture and teacher recruitment. 1

Planned upgrades and other infrastructure moves

• Complete 30 abandoned E-Blocks in urban and peri-urban communities to increase day-school capacity. 3
• Upgrade 10 Category B schools to Category A with new dorms, science and ICT labs and libraries. 4
• Upgrade 30 Category C schools to Category B, improving water, sanitation, digital learning hubs and science resource centres. 5
• Allocate funding under the GSLIP (noted allocations in the statement include GH¢1.1 billion for the programme in 2026). 6

Potential benefits

Completing abandoned blocks and upgrading existing schools can yield several benefits:

• Increased access: more classroom space where students live reduces travel and accommodation burdens.
• Improved quality: renovated labs and ICT centres support STEM learning and digital skills development. 7
• Equity: upgrading Category C schools narrows resource gaps between schools in different districts. 8
• Return to single-track: increased capacity supports the policy goal of ending the double-track system by 2027. 9

Risks and things to watch

While the plan is promising, there are practical risks that must be managed for the initiative to succeed:

• Project completion risks: abandoned projects can carry hidden extra costs (rehabilitation vs fresh construction) and quality issues. 10
• Funding & disbursement: timely release of funds and clear procurement are critical; allocations in the budget must reach implementing agencies. 11
• Operations & staffing: buildings need teachers, furniture and maintenance budgets to be effective long-term. 12
• Accountability: strong project management, regular audits and community oversight will reduce the chance of further abandonment. 13

Political and social context

Minister Forson framed the education expansion as part of the government’s broader RESET agenda to stabilise the economy and invest in human capital. The plan also responds to public concern about the disruptions caused by the double-track system and the uneven distribution of school resources across the country. 14

Conclusion

The commitment to complete 30 abandoned E-Blocks is a targeted, pragmatic step to increase SHS capacity in urban and peri-urban communities. If funded, managed and monitored properly, it can accelerate the transition back to single-track schooling and improve the learning environment for thousands of students.