History

The Basic School initially started as University Primary School in 1958 by the KNUST Administration. It was established and managed by the University to provide Basic Education for the children of its staff and to prepare them to pass the common entrance examination for admission into Secondary Schools in the country. However, although the school was established for the staff children, the University recognized and appreciated the need, for good public relations to open its doors to non-staff children, whose parents were willing and could afford to pay for their children's basic education outside the public system which provided a fee-free Primary education in the country at that time.

The University also introduced a boarding facility for children whose parents were willing to pay additional fees for their boarding and lodging. Hence, the Primary became a Day and Boarding school for pupils who were not staff children. Since the University had to charge fees for the services it provided, it soon priced itself out of reach of most staff members.

The University Junior Staff could not afford to send their children to the Primary School as the Boarding facility catered essentially and mainly for children of affluent parents who had no or little connection with the University. In 1987, following the introduction of the New Educational Reforms by the then government, the Junior Secondary School, now Junior High School, was established in addition to the Primary School. Senior members of the University contributed to put up the structures for the Junior High School. It was officially opened on 26 September, 1989 with a population of 112 students mainly from the Primary and a few outsiders. Six(6) teachers initially handled the JHS students.

The Junior High School was a joint partnership between the University and the Ghana Education Service, until the University fully took over in January 2006. The KNUST Basic School was birth at this point bringing together the various units; the Pre-School, Primary and Junior High School. The first Headmaster of the Basic school was the late Mr. Francis Asare Jnr. of Blessed Memory. KNUST Basic School has also excelled in many academic competitions held on radio and television, and also, has represented the region in several competitions.

At present, the school is the reigning Regional Champion in a Drawing Contest on “Climate Change”, organized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The school also won the 2023 and the 2024 editions of the Junior National Science and Maths Quiz and also the 2023 Junior Spelling Bee Competition.