The goal and commitment of President John Mahama and the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, to restore the long-desired quality of education, especially at the basic and foundational levels, have been received with deep appreciation by the leadership of the Ghana Education Service.
In the President’s media encounter last Wednesday, September 10, education once again gained its deserved importance in the conversation. The encounter threw light on some significant developments in the education sector and reaffirmed the central role of education in national development.
𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Basic education received 𝗚𝗛𝗖 𝟵.𝟭 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 in the 2025 budget — the highest allocation in the past 50 years. Foundational learning remains the most crucial stage in every child’s education. However, in recent times, this level was almost neglected. It is fulfilling for us at GES to see genuine government interest in foundational learning again. GES, as an implementing agency, commit to ensuring every Ghanaian child receives the best early years’ education.
𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀.
It is heart-warming to note the historic allocation of 𝗚𝗛𝗖 𝟱𝟲𝟰 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 — including 𝗚𝗛𝗖 𝟰𝟭𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 — for the procurement of textbooks under the new curriculum. This represents the largest single investment in textbooks so far, aimed at strengthening teaching and learning materials across schools. This will go a long way to support learners with resources to complement classroom activities.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱, 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Attracting and retaining our young girls in school is not a luxury, not a privilege, but a necessity. Our girls deserve equal opportunities and access to education like everyone else. In this 21st century, the nation cannot afford to keep girls out of school due to menstrual-related issues. This is why the free distribution of sanitary towels to school-going girls is paramount. The distribution has already begun in districts such as Ada West, Gushegu, Ga East, Ejura, Ga West, Ledzokuku, etc. Others will follow as the nationwide rollout continues. This intervention supports girls’ education and reduces absenteeism.
𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 (𝗦𝗛𝗦).
The goal to not only maintain but also improve the Free SHS policy is on course. The programme has been allocated 𝗚𝗛𝗖 𝟯.𝟱 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 under GETFund in 2025 — the highest ever since the programme started. This has enhanced feeding and related services for students. There’s also the established commitment to abolish the double-track system that has challenged the programme.
𝗙𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗵, 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹
Adjustments in the management of SHS feeding have led to noticeable improvements. Reports from students, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders point to a better feeding system. We continue to solicit feedback from stakeholders as we strive to improve both feeding and teaching in our second-cycle schools.
Though the 2025 Education Budget was appropriated barely five months ago, there is already encouraging evidence of some appreciable progress in the sector. These developments reflect the continued prioritisation of education as a driver of national growth and social transformation. GES remain committed to making education better.
By Daniel Fenyi
Head of Public Relations, GES
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
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