BTA2023 The government has uncapped the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to ensure full financing of the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme and support free tertiary education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced these measures while presenting the 2025 Budget and Economic Policy to Parliament.
Key Budget Highlights in Education
- Uncapping GETFund for Free SHS and PWDs: The Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act, 2017 (Act 947) will be amended to remove the cap on GETFund. This change will provide an additional GH¢4.1 billion to supplement the GH¢3.5 billion already allocated for Free SHS in the 2024 Budget. The government will also absorb the debt service on the Daakye Bond issued by GETFund for education-related projects.
- Free Distribution of Sanitary Pads: GH¢292.4 million has been allocated for free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools. This aims to address menstrual hygiene challenges that often cause girls to miss school.
- Improved Learning Resources: GH¢564.6 million will fund free curriculum-based textbooks for2.8 million Kindergarten learners (4 sets of books). 800,000 Primary learners (4 sets of books). 540,000 JHS 3 learners (9 sets of books).
- School Feeding Programme: The budget for the School Feeding Programme will increase from GH¢1.34 billion in 2024 to GH¢1.788 billion in 2025. The feeding cost per child will rise from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2 per meal.
- Sustaining Teacher and Nursing Trainee Allowances: GH¢203 million is allocated for teacher trainee allowances. GH¢480 million is allocated for nursing trainee allowances.
- ‘No-Fees-Stress’ Initiative for Tertiary Students: GH¢499.8 million is allocated to fund the ‘No-Fees-Stress’ policy. This initiative ensures all first-year students in public tertiary institutions do not pay academic fees.
- Capitation Grant Increase: The Capitation Grant for basic schools will increase by 73.2%, rising from GH¢84 million in 2024 to GH¢145.5 million in 2025.
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