Prof. David Millar proposes military led initiative to eliminate schools under trees

Professor David Millar, President of the Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies, has proposed the deployment of the Ghana Armed Forces Engineering Regiments to help eliminate schools under trees across the country through the rapid construction of classroom pavilions.

He proposed the closing session of the launch of the Prosperity through Enterprise, Agriculture, Resilience and Livelihoods (PEARL) Framework, a 10-year development strategy aimed at driving regional transformation through agriculture, enterprise and responsible mining.

Addressing the Presidential Adviser on the 24 Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, Mr. Augustus Obuadum Tanoh, who represented President John Dramani Mahama, and the Deputy Minister of Education, Hon. Clement Apaak, Prof. Millar described the situation facing thousands of schoolchildren as an urgent national concern.

He noted that nearly 5,000 basic schools across Ghana continue to operate under trees or in dilapidated structures, with rural and underserved communities bearing the greatest burden.

Prof. David Millar

According to him, many pupils are compelled to study in harsh weather conditions with inadequate classroom facilities, a situation that negatively affects teaching and learning.

Prof. Millar argued that the Ghana Armed Forces has the technical capacity to deliver a faster and more cost-effective solution than conventional construction methods.

“If we engage the military, specifically the engineering regiments who have already proven their capability building highways, to construct simple but durable pavilions, we could remove all schools from under trees in record time,” he said.

He suggested that the immediate priority should be to provide safe classroom structures for pupils, while furniture and other supporting facilities could be added later.

“Furniture and other amenities can come later. The priority must be getting children into proper shelters,” he stated.

Prof. Millar recalled that similar pavilion structures were constructed during the administration of former President Jerry John Rawlings for junior secondary schools, noting that many of those buildings remain in use today.

“Years ago, under Rawlings and the NDC, pavilions were built for junior secondary schools, simple one block structures that are now used as classrooms. Originally designed as open carpentry workshops, these pavilions have stood the test of time,” he said.

He proposed that the initiative should begin in northern Ghana, where the need is most pressing, before gradually extending to other parts of the country.

“We should start from the north, where the need is greatest, and gradually eliminate all schools under trees as we move southwards. The military's field engineers regiment is both cheaper and faster. There are about eight field units. These could be deployed across Upper East, Upper West and beyond. Since we already know where these schools are, soldiers could build pavilions one after another, moving steadily toward the coast,” he said.

Prof. Millar said a military-led classroom construction programme would enable Ghana to eliminate schools under trees within a relatively short period, describing it as a practical solution that would benefit government, the military and, most importantly, schoolchildren across the country.

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