President John Dramani Mahama announced on Friday, September 11, 2026, that senior high schools located in rural areas with large catchment zones will be converted into boarding schools. The move aims to relieve students who struggle to travel long distances to attend daily classes.
Speaking during an inspection of Ghana Education Trust Fund projects at Han Senior High School, Mahama explained that the community day school model is best suited for densely populated regions where students can commute easily from home. In contrast, rural schools often serve communities spread over wide areas, making daily travel difficult.
"The intention now is to use the community day concept in the high‑density population areas where the children can stay at home and easily go to school," Mahama said. "And then for those that are in the rural areas with a big catchment area, we turn them into boarding schools so that the children can reside on campus."
Han SHS will be among the first to receive the new status. The president announced plans to construct separate dormitories for boys and girls, stating, "If we’re not going to give you boarding status, we’ll start building a boys and girls dormitory." He added that the change would take effect once construction is complete and the contractor finishes the work.
Mahama emphasized that the policy targets the specific challenges faced by students in rural communities, where distance between schools and homes can hinder regular attendance. The conversion is expected to improve access to education and reduce commuting burdens for students across the country.
