By Adnan Adams Mohammed
As President John Mahama continues to execute his holistic approach to national development, his Education Minister has briefed the media on progress of major education sector reform initiatives.
Haruna Iddrisu highlighted the leadership’s focus on inclusivity, innovation, and efficiency.
Below are the key highlights:
Stakeholder-Driven Reform
The recent National Education Forum received over 2,000 proposals from stakeholders. According to the Minister, these contributions are actively shaping long-term education policy.
Surge in Tertiary Portal Usage
So far, 129,000 students have used the No-Fee-Stress digital platform, which streamlines tertiary application and funding processes. This, Mr. Iddrisu noted, has significantly reduced stress for students and parents.
Support for Students with Disabilities
The government has allocated GHS 7 million to cover fees for tertiary students with disabilities. This move reflects a stronger commitment to inclusive education.
Local Production of Sanitary Pads
All pads distributed under the Free Sanitary Pad Policy will be locally sourced. Moreover, a proposal is under review to establish a pad manufacturing facility within the Prisons Service to create jobs and ensure a consistent supply.
SHS Feeding Budget Secured
In the last six months, the government has released GHS 600 million to support feeding in Senior High Schools. This funding ensures continued student welfare across the country.
Launch of National Research Fund
A National Research Fund has been established, with an initial GHS 50 million disbursed through the GETFund. The initiative aims to boost research capacity in Ghana’s tertiary institutions.
“These reforms demonstrate our unwavering commitment to building a resilient and forward-thinking education system,” Haruna Iddrisu affirmed.
