By Kodjo Adams
Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – The Government has allocated GH¢48 billion to the Ministry of Education to support teaching and learning, improve access to education and strengthen the delivery of educational services for 2027.
The allocation is expected to support key interventions in the sector, including infrastructure development, secondary education transformation, teacher welfare and the provision of learning resources.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance, announced this on Thursday during the presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
Out of the total allocation, GH¢11.2 billion has been earmarked for the Ghana Education Trust Fund to support the development of educational infrastructure.
An amount of GH¢1.37 billion had also been allocated to transform secondary education and facilitate the elimination of the double-track system, Dr Forson said.
“Government has further set aside GH¢537 million for the No Fees Stress Policy, which is intended to ease the financial burden on first-year students and ensure that financial constraints do not prevent qualified students from accessing tertiary education,” the minister said.
Additionally, he said GH¢292 million had been allocated for the distribution of free sanitary pads to support girls’ participation and retention in school.
The allocation also includes GH¢227 million for teacher trainee allowances to support students preparing to join the teaching profession, while GH¢169 million has been earmarked for the payment of Basic Education Certificate Examination fees.
Other allocations include GH¢166 million for the Capitation Grant and GH¢133 million for existing education interventions to sustain support for teaching and learning.
He said the Government had allocated GH¢50 million to special schools to improve support for learners who required specialised educational provision.
Meanwhile, a separate amount of GH¢250 million has been allocated to the Scholarship Secretariat to support its scholarship responsibilities.
He said the allocations were aimed at strengthening the education sector, improving access and ensuring that financial barriers did not undermine opportunities for learners at various levels of the education system.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe