By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced a series of transformative initiatives for the education sector as part of the 2025 national budget statement.
The budget presented to parliament outlines significant investments aimed at improving access to quality education, addressing infrastructure funding challenges and supporting students at all levels of the educational ladder.
Uncapping GETFund
Dr. Ato Forson addressed the longstanding concern of civil society organisations (CSOs), especially the African Education Watch (Eduwatch), about uncapping the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
Funding the Free Senior High School (FSHS) education policy has remained a concern since its Inception. The minister revealed that President John Mahama has resolved the funding challenge by uncapping the GETFund.
This decision makes dedicated funds available for fully financing Free SHS education and free tertiary education for Persons with Disability (PWDs).
Dr. Ato Forson emphasised that to support this, the Capping and Realignment Act will be amended to uncap GETFund and amend the GETFund Act to provide full funding for the Free SHS programme.
He further announced that the 2025 budgetary allocation to the Free SHS programme is GH¢3.5billion, with an additional GH¢4.1billion made available through uncapping the GETFund. This brings the total allocation for Free SHS and related expenditures to GH¢7.6billion.
Additionally, government has absorbed the debt service including interest and principal from the Daakye bond contracted by GETFund, further strengthening the fund’s financial position.
The minister also announced an allocation of GH¢564.6million to provide free textbooks for KG, Primary and JHS students.
The budget also includes GH¢564.6million for the comprehensive provision of free curricula-based textbooks.
“This allocation will cover four sets of KG books and workbooks for about 2.8 million learners; four sets of primary textbooks for 800,000 learners; and nine sets of JHS three textbooks for 540,000 learners.
“This initiative is expected to enhance the quality of education by ensuring that students have access to the necessary learning materials,” he said.
GH¢292.4m for free sanitary pads to female students
The high cost of sanitary pads has been identified as a major challenge keeping many adolescent girls out of school during menstruation.
In a move to promote menstrual hygiene and keep girls in school, the minister indicated that government has also allocated GH¢292.4m to commence distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools.
This initiative aims to address absenteeism and high dropout rates among girls, ensuring they can focus on their education without interruption.
During the vetting of Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection, she said: “Many families cannot afford sanitary pads and when forced to choose between food and pads, they choose food. This situation is making girls more vulnerable”.
This announcement will therefore be viewed by stakeholders as a great intervention.
School Feeding Programme: 33% increase in allocation
Under the School Feeding Programme budgetary provision has been increased from GH¢1.344billion in 2024 to GH¢1.788billion in 2025, representing a 33 percent increase.
“The allocation reflects an increase in the feeding cost per meal per child per day from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2.00; a 33.3 percent rise aimed at improving the quality of meals provided to students,” he said.
Capitation Grant: 73.2% increase
The Capitation Grant has also seen a significant boost, with an allocation of GH¢145.5million, up from GH¢84million in 2024.
This represents a 73.2 percent increase, ensuring that schools have the resources needed to operate effectively and provide quality education.
Teacher and nursing-trainee allowances
In a move to support the training of future educators and healthcare professionals, government has allocated GH¢203million for the payment of teacher-trainee allowances and GH¢480million for nursing-trainee allowances.
These allocations underscore government’s commitment to strengthening the education and healthcare sectors by investing in the next generation of professionals.
A bold vision for education
The minister reiterated government’s commitment to transforming the education sector.
“These initiatives reflect our determination to ensure that every Ghanaian child has access to quality education, regardless of their background or financial situation. By investing in education, we are investing in the future of our nation,” he said.
