He said although Ghana had made significant progress in expanding access to education, increasing enrolment figures alone did not necessarily mean children were learning at the expected level.
Speaking at the launch of the Colgate Scholarship Campaign at the Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra on October 21, 2026, Dr Apaak said kindergarten enrolment had more than doubled, while senior high school enrolment had nearly tripled.
He noted that primary school enrolment had also recorded steady growth, with significant increases at the junior high school level.
Despite these gains, the Deputy Minister expressed concern about net enrolment rates, stressing the need to ensure that children enter school at the appropriate age and progress through the various levels of education as expected.
“A child counted as enrolled is not the same as a child learning on time, in the right class, at the right age,” he said.
Net enrolment rates measure the proportion of children within the official school-age group who are enrolled at the corresponding level of education.
Dr Apaak’s concerns highlight the need to assess the education system beyond overall enrolment figures, particularly whether children are progressing through school at the appropriate age and receiving the support necessary to learn effectively.
He also outlined government’s investments in education, citing GH¢42.16 billion allocated to the sector in the 2025 Budget through government funding, the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and development partners.
According to him, the allocation included GH¢9.1 billion for basic education, GH¢3.5 billion for the Free Senior High School programme and GH¢564.6 million for curriculum-based textbooks.
He further cited GH¢300 million allocated in the 2026 Budget to support existing scholarship commitments and new beneficiaries of local and international scholarship programmes.
The Deputy Minister stressed that while government continued to invest in education, support from businesses and other development partners remained important in addressing financial barriers affecting students.
He made the remarks at the launch of a scholarship initiative by Colgate-Palmolive Ghana and Melcom, which is expected to provide financial assistance to students and their families.
Under the campaign, 16 students will benefit from scholarships valued at GH¢15,000 each, amounting to GH¢240,000 in educational support.
An additional GH¢120,000 in Melcom shopping vouchers will be provided to families, bringing the total value of the initiative to GH¢360,000.
The scholarships are intended to support educational expenses, including school fees, approved levies and learning materials, while the shopping vouchers will provide additional assistance to beneficiary families.
Dr Apaak welcomed private sector participation in education, stressing that financial difficulties should not prevent children from accessing educational opportunities.
Referencing Article 25 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which guarantees equal educational opportunities and facilities, he emphasised that education must be treated as a right rather than a privilege.
He also highlighted the relationship between health and education, noting the importance of ensuring that children are healthy and adequately prepared to learn.
The Deputy Minister maintained that improving education outcomes required sustained attention not only to school enrolment but also to children’s progression, learning experiences and overall development.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
