The Executive Director of Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), Kofi Asare, says the allocation by the government in the 2025 budget statement for the education sector is unprecedented.
Speaking in a media interview, he posited that the allocation was significant and will contribute to making the sector better.
“Committing to uncap GETFund through the process of amending the earmarked capping and the Realignment Act of 2017, and then committing about GHS145 million to the capitation grant, about GHS3.5 billion to the Free SHS program, and in excess of GHS500 million for textbooks for basic schools are very significant allocations to education.
“Significant in the sense that they are significant and unprecedented, and it must be acknowledged as such,” Asare noted.
Meanwhile, he has raised concerns over the amount allocated for the payment of teacher and nursing trainee allowances, describing it as wasteful expenditure.
“I don’t think that allocating over 200 million for teacher trainee allowance is a game changer.
“It is actually a wasteful expenditure, and we encourage the government to depart from that narrative,” Asare stated.
Background
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced on Tuesday, March 11, 2024, that the government has allocated GH¢3.5 billion to fund the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program.
He also revealed that the cap on the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has been removed to allow for more resources.
He explained that the move was aimed at addressing funding gaps in the Free SHS policy and improving infrastructure in secondary schools.
“To ensure sustainable financing for education, the government is removing the cap on GETFund, allowing more funds to flow directly into the education sector,” Dr. Forson stated.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to Free SHS, saying, “The program has increased access to secondary education for thousands of students, and this funding will ensure that no Ghanaian child is left behind,” he told Parliament.
The GH¢3.5 billion allocation is also expected to address long-standing infrastructure deficits in many senior high schools across the country.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
