By In the bustling city of Tema, Ghana, Chemu Senior High School (SHS) stands as a beacon of opportunity for hundreds of young minds eager to pursue secondary education. Yet, beneath its promise of academic excellence lies a troubling reality: a severe shortage of boarding facilities that is pushing students—particularly female students—into vulnerable and compromising situations.
During a recent visit by Parliament’s Select Committee on Education on April 29, 2025, the school’s headmistress, Madam Vicentia Annin-Agyei, laid bare the dire consequences of this infrastructure deficit. In a heartbreaking revelation, she disclosed that some students, unable to secure accommodation, are resorting to living with boyfriends or girlfriends in order to continue their education.
This crisis at Chemu SHS is not an isolated issue but a symptom of broader systemic challenges within Ghana’s educational system, exposing the unintended consequences of ambitious policies and chronic underfunding.
The Infrastructure Deficit at Chemu SHS
Chemu SHS, like many public secondary schools in Ghana, has been grappling with the pressures of accommodating a growing student population. The introduction of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy in 2017 was a landmark achievement, removing financial barriers and enabling thousands of students to access secondary education.
However, the influx of students has overwhelmed school infrastructure, particularly in schools like Chemu SHS, which lack the facilities to house and educate all enrolled students effectively.
Madam Annin-Agyei highlighted several critical infrastructure gaps during the parliamentary committee’s visit. An uncompleted six-unit classroom block stands as a stark reminder of stalled development projects, while the absence of a permanent residence for the headmistress underscores the neglect of administrative needs.
The school also lacks sufficient computers for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education, limiting students’ exposure to essential digital skills. However, the most pressing issue is the shortage of boarding facilities, particularly for final-year students who require stable accommodations to focus on their studies and prepare for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Without adequate dormitories, many students who live far from Tema face insurmountable challenges. Daily commuting is often impractical due to distance, transportation costs, or safety concerns, leaving students with few viable options. Some resort to renting rooms in nearby communities, but the financial burden of rent, coupled with the lack of parental supervision, creates a host of new problems.
In the most alarming cases, students—particularly young women—are forced to cohabit with romantic partners, not out of choice but out of necessity. “Some of them are even living with their boyfriends and girlfriends,” Madam Annin-Agyei lamented. “Some are forced into that situation, not because they intended to be in it, but because circumstances have compelled them.”
The Human Cost of the Crisis
The lack of boarding facilities at Chemu SHS has far-reaching consequences, particularly for female students, who are disproportionately affected by the crisis. For young women, living with boyfriends or in unregulated rental accommodations exposes them to significant risks, including gender-based violence, unplanned pregnancies, and exploitation.
These living arrangements can also lead to emotional and psychological stress, undermining students’ ability to focus on their studies and achieve academic success. Moreover, the stigma associated with cohabitation can erode students’ self-esteem and social standing, further compounding their challenges.
The situation also raises serious questions about equity in education. The FSHS policy was designed to ensure that every Ghanaian child, regardless of socio-economic background, could access secondary education. Yet, the lack of boarding facilities undermines this goal, effectively excluding students who cannot afford alternative accommodations or whose families live too far from school.
For rural students or those from low-income households, the absence of dormitories can mean the difference between completing their education and dropping out altogether.
Beyond the immediate risks to students’ safety and well-being, the crisis at Chemu SHS has broader societal implications. Education is a cornerstone of national development, equipping young people with the skills and knowledge to contribute to Ghana’s economy and society. When students are forced into precarious living situations, their academic performance and future prospects suffer, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
The plight of Chemu SHS students is a stark reminder that access to education is not just about tuition fees but also about creating an environment where students can learn safely and thrive.
Systemic Challenges: The Double-Track System and Funding Delays
The crisis at Chemu SHS cannot be fully understood without examining the broader systemic challenges within Ghana’s educational system. One key factor is the double-track system, introduced in 2018 as a response to overcrowding caused by the FSHS policy.
Under this system, students are divided into two groups—Green Track and Gold Track—with one group attending school while the other is on vacation. This approach has allowed more students to access secondary education but has also stretched school resources to their limits.
At Chemu SHS, the double-track system exacerbates the strain on boarding facilities, as the school must accommodate two cohorts of students on alternating schedules. The lack of dormitories means that many students are left without a place to stay when their track is in session, forcing them to seek alternative arrangements.
While the double-track system was intended as a temporary measure, its prolonged use has highlighted the need for significant investments in school infrastructure to meet the demands of an expanded student population.
Funding delays and bureaucratic inefficiencies further compound the problem. Madam Annin-Agyei noted that the uncompleted classroom block at Chemu SHS is a result of stalled government projects, a common issue across many public schools in Ghana.
The slow disbursement of funds for infrastructure development means that schools are unable to address critical needs in a timely manner, leaving students and educators to bear the consequences. This systemic underfunding undermines the government’s commitment to universal education and calls into question the sustainability of the FSHS policy without corresponding investments in facilities.
Toward Solutions: A Call for Action
Addressing the crisis at Chemu SHS requires a multi-faceted approach that tackles both immediate needs and long-term systemic issues. First and foremost, the government must prioritize the completion of infrastructure projects at Chemu SHS and other affected schools.
The uncompleted six-unit classroom block and the lack of boarding facilities should be treated as urgent priorities, with clear timelines and accountability measures to ensure progress. Expanding dormitory capacity would provide students with safe and affordable accommodations, reducing their reliance on risky living arrangements.
In the short term, targeted interventions can help mitigate the impact on students. For example, the government could partner with local communities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide subsidized housing or temporary accommodations for students in need.
Scholarships or stipends for transportation and rental costs could also alleviate the financial burden on low-income families, enabling students to focus on their studies without compromising their safety.
At the systemic level, the government must address the funding and implementation challenges that have hindered infrastructure development. Streamlining the disbursement of funds and improving coordination between ministries and contractors would ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Additionally, a comprehensive review of the double-track system is needed to assess its effectiveness and explore alternatives, such as building more schools or expanding existing ones to accommodate all students simultaneously.
Civil society and the private sector also have a role to play. Advocacy groups can amplify the voices of affected students and hold policymakers accountable for addressing the crisis. Corporate social responsibility initiatives could fund the construction of dormitories or provide resources for ICT education, bridging the gap left by public funding shortages. Community-based organizations, meanwhile, can offer support services, such as counseling and mentorship, to help students navigate the challenges of their living situations.
A Moral and Educational Imperative
The situation at Chemu SHS is a stark reminder that education is not just about classrooms and textbooks but about creating an environment where students can learn, grow, and thrive. The lack of boarding facilities is not merely an infrastructure issue; it is a moral and educational imperative that demands urgent action. No student should be forced to choose between their safety and their education, nor should they be compelled to live in precarious conditions to pursue their dreams.
As Ghana strives to build a future where every child has access to quality education, the plight of Chemu SHS students serves as a call to action. By investing in school infrastructure, addressing systemic inefficiencies, and prioritizing student welfare, the government can ensure that the promise of free education is fulfilled for all. The young women and men of Chemu SHS deserve nothing less than a safe and supportive environment to chase their aspirations and build a brighter future for themselves and their nation.
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