Government to Enhance GETFund as a Sustainable Funding Source for Free SHS – Ato Forson
The government is working to ensure that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) becomes a reliable and sustainable source of funding for the Free Senior High School (SHS) initiative, aiming to secure its long-term sustainability and continued development. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson made this commitment during the 66th Anniversary Speech and Prize-Giving Day at Swedru Secondary School, held over the weekend.
Dr. Forson announced that GETFund would receive an allocation of GH₵9 billion this year, which will cover both outstanding arrears from previous years and the current year’s funding for the Free SHS programme. He highlighted the critical role of adequate funding in improving the overall quality of education and reassured stakeholders that the Free SHS programme is here to stay, stressing that it is an initiative with enduring value for the country’s education system.
One of the primary challenges facing the Free SHS programme, according to Dr. Forson, is ensuring both sustainability and quality. To address this, the government has outlined plans to amend the GETFund Act, ensuring that specific funds are set aside exclusively for the Free SHS programme. This amendment is aimed at creating a more dedicated and consistent funding stream for the initiative, thus reinforcing its stability for future generations of students.
In addition to the funding for the Free SHS programme, Dr. Forson also touched on several other key areas of educational support that the government is prioritizing. The government is committed to paying the first-year university fees for students, ensuring that tertiary education remains accessible to all qualified students. Furthermore, Dr. Forson revealed plans to provide financial support for tertiary education for persons with disabilities, ensuring that they also have access to higher learning opportunities. In a bid to support the health and well-being of female students, the government has also pledged to supply sanitary pads to girls in both basic and secondary schools, addressing a critical need for menstrual hygiene products.
The event’s guest speaker, Professor Festus Annor-Frimpong from the University of Cape Coast, spoke to the broader impact of education policies, emphasizing how they influence both access and quality of education. He called for a unified effort from all stakeholders involved in the education sector—government agencies, educators, students, and parents—to work collaboratively toward achieving the national educational goals. Professor Annor-Frimpong’s address served as a reminder of the importance of collective action in ensuring that the country’s educational policies are effective and beneficial to all.
In a gesture of continued support for the development of Swedru Secondary School, Samuel Atta Mensah, the President of the Swedru Secondary School Alumni Association, handed over a newly constructed four-flat teachers’ bungalow to the school’s management. The bungalow is a part of the alumni association’s efforts to contribute to the welfare of the school’s teaching staff, improving their living conditions and fostering a better learning environment for students.
Dr. Forson’s remarks and the various contributions made at the event underline the government’s dedication to strengthening the education sector in Ghana. The focus on sustainability through GETFund, the support for students at different educational levels, and the involvement of key stakeholders all reflect a collective commitment to improving access to quality education across the country.
The initiatives highlighted during the anniversary celebrations reinforce the government’s stance that education is key to the country’s development and that investing in its education system is essential for building a brighter future for the nation. The emphasis on funding, infrastructure, and support for marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities shows that the government is actively working toward creating an inclusive and high-quality educational environment for all students in Ghana.
As Ghana moves forward with these plans, the hope is that these investments will not only secure the sustainability of the Free SHS programme but also improve the quality of education, offering every student the opportunity to succeed and contribute to the nation’s growth.
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