By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that the government will extend the national school feeding programme to all special needs and inclusive schools across the country starting January 2026. He said this major intervention is to ensure that no learner with a disability is left behind in the country’s education system.
Speaking at a media briefing on the 2026 education budget allocation on Wednesday November 19, 2025, Mr. Iddrisu said his visits to schools such as the Akuapem Akropong School for the Blind revealed serious challenges faced by learners with disabilities, including inadequate meals and learning devices. He explained that many of these schools still depend on limited government grants to feed students, a situation he described as unacceptable.
He stressed that extending school feeding to special needs institutions will help protect the most vulnerable children and give them equal opportunities to succeed academically. “This will be one of the most important interventions to support distressed and marginalised learners in our education system,” he said.
As part of the new measures, the Minister has directed the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to allocate a minimum of GH¢65 million to support all learners with special needs. This funding will help provide essential devices for students who are visually impaired, have hearing difficulties, or require other forms of learning support.
Mr. Iddrisu highlighted several other key investments in the 2026 budget, including: GH¢4.2 billion to sustain and improve the Free Senior High School and Free TVET programmes.
A major infrastructure expansion plan covering 200 kindergarten blocks, 200 primary schools, 200 junior high schools, 400 teacher bungalows, and 400 modern sanitary facilities.
The completion of 30 community day Senior High Schools (E-blocks) with support from a US$18 million allocation.
GH¢1.1 billion under the Ghana Secondary Education Learning Improvement Programme to improve infrastructure and teacher quality.
The Minister also noted that the government has expanded the Student Loan Trust Fund to cover more students, including those at the Ghana School of Law. Additionally, plans are underway to establish new technical universities in Jessica and Techiman, as well as new public universities in Kintampo and parts of Oti Region.
Mr. Iddrisu emphasised that the government’s goal is to ensure fairness, quality, and access at all stages of education. He said the 2026 budget reflects a bold and strategic commitment to strengthening Ghana’s human capital development.
More Stories Here
