Mankranso SHS to Be Upgraded After Historic NSMQ Performance — Education Minister Announces Major Reforms
The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that Mankranso SHS will be upgraded following its remarkable performance in the 2025 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ). Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, November 19, the Minister said the school’s achievement warrants national attention and tangible support.
Mankranso SHS Earns National Recognition
Hon. Iddrisu disclosed that Mankranso SHS—currently a Category C school—has been added to the list of schools to be elevated under a broader restructuring of the national school categorisation system.
“We will expand the number of Category A schools, and on my way here, I have added Mankranso Senior High School based on their performance at the 2025 National Math and Science Quiz,” he announced.
He commended the students for excelling despite the deprivation and infrastructural difficulties they face, stressing that their success reflects resilience and academic determination.
“My heart is warmed to reach out to them to know that the country appreciates that, given the deprivation, they have demonstrated excellence in academic pursuit,” he added.
A School That Defied the Odds
Mankranso SHS, located in the Ahafo Ano Southwest District of the Ashanti Region, defied expectations when it reached the semifinals of the 2025 NSMQ — a historic first for the school. Despite being described by some teachers as an “advanced JHS” due to its inadequate facilities, the school rose to national prominence, proving that brilliance can thrive even in challenging environments.
From worn-out classrooms to the spotlight of the national quiz stage, the school’s journey has been hailed as a powerful example of what underserved institutions can achieve with determination and talent.
Broader Upgrade of School Categories
Hon. Iddrisu revealed that the upgrade of Mankranso SHS forms part of a larger government plan to improve educational quality and equity. Under the new restructuring initiative:
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- 10 Category B schools will be upgraded to Category A
- 10 Category C schools will be upgraded to Category B
- Additional support will be allocated to schools that demonstrate exceptional potential
He highlighted similar cases across the country, including a school in Kade in the Eastern Region where a student recently won the Best Science Student Award despite the lack of a science laboratory.
“I’ll reward them with a laboratory into next year,” he promised.
Confronting the Legacy of Double Track
The Minister also spoke candidly about systemic challenges in the education sector, particularly the lingering effects of the previous double-track system.
According to him, the approach negatively impacted education quality due to reduced teacher-student contact hours.
“You remember double track? It necessarily and avoidably contributed to the low quality of education because the number of hours spent by students and teachers was affected. Many of the girls and boys spent more time at home and less time in school,” he noted.
New $180 Million Programme to Improve Secondary Education
To address these gaps and strengthen secondary education, the Minister announced the rollout of a new flagship initiative—the Ghana Secondary Learning Improvement Programme. Backed by US$180 million from the World Bank, the programme will support efforts to:
- Assess facilities across the country
- Improve teaching and learning conditions
- Complete abandoned E-block projects
- Enhance schools demonstrating high performance
“The World Bank team is in town,” he said, confirming that assessments are already underway.
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