In the heart of Ghana—amid the hum of city traffic and the quiet rustle of rural life—a crisis unfolds. Across the country, over 5,400 basic schools still operate under trees or in crumbling structures.
For thousands of children, this is their only “classroom”- exposed to the weather and without desks or trained teachers.
As the world races into an AI-driven future, Ghana’s youngest citizens are left behind.
At the launch of the GO PUBLIC FUND EDUCATION CAMPAIGN on May 13, 2025 at the NAGRAT Lyceum, Convener of CAPCOE, Richard Kwashie Kovey, declared:
“It’s unacceptable that in the 21st century, our children are still learning under trees. This isn’t just an infrastructure issue; it’s a matter of equity and justice.”
The Educational Divide: By the Numbers
According to the Ghana Statistical Service (2021):
• 1.2 million children aged 4–17 have never been to school.
• 147,000 pupils drop out annually—30 every single day.
• The main culprit: lack of accessible, equipped schools.
Budget Misalignment: Prioritizing the Few Over the Many
A deep dive into Ghana’s 2023 education budget shows just 20% was allocated to basic education, down from 39.2% in 2019. Meanwhile:
• Tertiary education got 30.5%
• Management/administration absorbed 38.6%
Kofi Asare, Executive Director of EDUWATCH, notes:
“The skewed allocation towards tertiary education exacerbates educational inequities. The children most in need of public support are the ones being left out.”
As of 2021, it would take GHS 3.5 billion to eliminate all 5,403 “schools under trees.” CAPCOE asserts that if GETFund resources from 2021–2024 had been properly used, this crisis would be history by 2025.
A Turning Point? Uncapped GETFund in 2024
In a promising move, Parliament approved GH¢800 million for basic education in 2024—the largest allocation in seven years.
“With the GETFund now uncapped, there’s no excuse,” says Kovey. “We must channel resources to where they’re needed most.”
During the period when GETFund was capped, oil revenues were redirected to sustain Free SHS feeding programs. Now that GETFund is restored, CAPCOE urges the government to redirect oil revenue to basic education, where the need is greatest.
Anaane’s Story: The Human Cost
Ten-year-old Anaane, from the Builisa tribe in the Upper East Region, walks kilometers daily to learn under a tree. With no walls, no textbooks, and constant distractions, she dreams of becoming a nurse—but each day tests her resolve.
Yet, her learning outcomes are expected to be on par in national exams with those who enjoy proper infrastructure—a clear injustice.
Her story is not unique. It echoes the struggles of thousands of children across Ghana—children whose futures hinge on political will and funding priorities.
Conclusion: Act Now
As Ghana seeks to lead in West Africa, it must not neglect the foundation of progress—education. Ending “schools under trees” is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
“Education is a right, not a privilege,” says Kovey. “Let’s act now to uphold that right for every Ghanaian child.”
By the Campaign Against Privatization and Commercialization of Education (CAPCOE). Supported by FES & EI