By: Belinda Nketia
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced a raft of reforms and interventions aimed at easing financial pressures on schools, improving teacher welfare, and strengthening inclusivity across the education sector.
In an update released and signed by Daniel Fenyi, PRO of the Ghana Education Service on 31st August 2024, GES confirmed that GH¢1 billion has been released to sustain the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme, while GH¢72.8 million has cleared all arrears under the Capitation Grant.
Daniel Fenyi, PRO of the Ghana Education Service
An additional GH¢2.9 billion has been paid into the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), and GH¢895 million released to finance the School Feeding Programme for basic schools. The feeding budget per child has also been increased.
Other major funding interventions include GH¢122.8 million for BECE registration, GH¢52 million for teacher training allowances, GH¢300 million for the No Fee Stress Policy benefiting SHS graduates entering tertiary institutions, as well as the payment of WASSCE practical fees and feeding grants for special needs schools.
On infrastructure, government has directed all districts to build new nurseries, primary, and junior high schools under the 2025 District Assemblies Common Fund. Additionally, 99 double-track SHS have reverted to the traditional single-track system, and all stalled E-Blocks are set to be revisited.
The update also highlighted new policies to improve governance and inclusivity. Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) have been reactivated to promote discipline and accountability in schools, while free sanitary pads have been launched to support schoolgirls and reduce absenteeism.
Teacher welfare received a significant boost, with promotions to director rank now open, over 30,000 diploma teachers upgraded to the appropriate pay scale after completing distance and sandwich degrees, and the cancellation of the teacher licensure exams which previously required graduates to return to campus months after completion.
To ensure smooth academic operations, the Service has also promised timely release of academic calendars for basic schools to aid planning.
GES says these measures represent one of the most comprehensive packages of education support in recent years, combining infrastructure, welfare, and inclusivity to strengthen the sector at all levels.
