By Kwasi Kwarteng, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, clarifies that contrary to reports suggesting a widespread rebranding initiative for public basic schools, the project is aimed specifically at certain students and new buildings.
This clarification comes after Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum announced the introduction of new uniforms for basic school students as part of an effort to enhance the image of public education.
Additionally, there are no plans for a complete repainting of all schools from their current brown and yellow colors to a vibrant blue and white scheme.
Speaking during a forum titled: “The free SHS story” held in Accra, Dr. Adutwum emphasised, “We are switching to blue and white. We are painting all the schools to give them an attractive outlook. This is the transformation Ghana deserves and it is coming.”
He further added that: “We are rebranding public schools. No brown and yellow, blue and white, and we are changing the uniforms too. This is President Akufo-Addo and Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia’s Ghana. We have begun the transformation.”
This decision, the second uniform change under the Akufo-Addo administration, follows a previous alteration introduced by former Education Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh in 2019. It has sparked a range of reactions from the public.
But clarifying the statement made by the Sector Minister, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng said, “Similar to senior high schools, junior high schools may have options for uniforms, but it doesn’t imply a widespread change.”
He emphasized that the focus is on improving the appearance of new school facilities rather than making changes to existing ones.
Mr Kwarteng added that “contrary to the reports, the Ministry of Education isn’t changing uniforms for all public schools. Neither is the Ministry repainting existing ones.”
In the meantime, the initiative has stirred public debate, with Dr. Clement Apaak, Deputy Ranking Member of the Education Committee in Parliament, labeling it a misplaced priority. Dr. Apaak underscored the urgent issues confronting public basic schools, such as outstanding capitation grants, difficulties with school feeding, and shortages of textbooks and furniture.
“In spite of these glaring and debilitating challenges, why will the government seek to spend resources in rebranding our public basic schools by introducing a new uniform?,” Dr Apaak stressed.
