Ghana is set to significantly increase its investment in education through the 2025 budget, aiming to address persistent challenges in rural areas and improve educational equity across the nation. The budget introduces substantial allocations for various educational initiatives, building on existing policies and introducing new measures to support students from basic to tertiary levels.
A key focus of the 2025 budget is the enhancement of the Free Senior High School (SHS) program, which has seen a notable increase in enrollment since its inception in 2017. The government has allocated GH₵3.5 billion to this program. To ensure sustainable financing, the cap on the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has been removed, expected to channel more resources into the education sector. This move is projected to provide an additional GH₵4.1 billion for the Free SHS program and related expenditures.
In higher education, the government is implementing a "No-Academic-Fee" policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions, with an allocation of GH₵499.8 million. This initiative is designed to ease the financial burden on families as students begin their tertiary education. Furthermore, the policy of free tertiary education for persons with disabilities is being fully funded, reflecting a commitment to inclusive education. An additional GH₵292.4 million has been earmarked for the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools, a measure aimed at improving menstrual hygiene and reducing school absenteeism.
The GETFund, a crucial source of educational financing, has seen its allocation to basic education increase significantly. For 2024, GH₵800 million was allocated to basic education, marking a 196% increase from the GH₵270 million in 2023. This represents the highest allocation to basic education in seven years, with funds designated for new projects, ongoing works, and furniture. These governmental efforts are complemented by the work of non-governmental organizations such as CAMFED, Smile At School, and SA-AD Foundation, which contribute to school infrastructure, learning materials, and teacher training.
Despite these increased allocations, analyses from organizations like Africa Education Watch highlight that while the nominal budget for education has increased, it still falls short of international benchmarks, particularly concerning the percentage of GDP and national budget allocated to education. The report indicates that education spending as a percentage of GDP is projected to drop to an eight-year low of 3.01% in 2025. The significant portion of the education budget allocated to compensation of employees also remains a point of discussion regarding the proportion available for direct educational interventions and infrastructure development.