GOVERNMENT PROPOSES MAJOR FUNDING BOOST FOR SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLS, AIMS TO DOUBLE FEEDING GRANT

The government is proposing a significant increase in funding for special needs education, including doubling the daily feeding grant per student from GHS 7 to GHS 15, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced.

The proposal is a key part of a broader initiative to secure GHS 100 million in annual funding from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to address long-standing challenges in the sector, such as shortages of learning materials, inadequate assistive devices, and poor infrastructure.

Mr. Iddrisu made the announcement during a meeting with heads of special schools in Accra, emphasizing the need to move these institutions away from relying on insufficient government grants.

“I hear many of you, your students still survive on government grants. I want to shift you away from the grant so that in a year you are assured that your funding is adequate,” the Minister stated.

He outlined a comprehensive plan to create a more reliable funding framework, which includes amending the GETFund Act to ensure sustained financial support for special needs education. The Minister revealed that GHS 65 million has already been earmarked by GETFund to support free education for learners with special needs, and he is seeking to increase this allocation to GHS 100 million annually.

“If GETFund has an allocation of 9 billion Ghana cedis, it should be possible for GETFund to make 100 million cedis available to support special needs schools,” Mr. Iddrisu explained.

The proposed funding would also be used to procure essential assistive devices and teaching resources, such as hearing aids, mobility devices, and communication tools. This renewed push marks a significant step by the Education Ministry to prioritize inclusivity and address resource disparities in the education sector.

Source:NKONKONSA.com