By Philip Antoh
The Education Minister, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that President John Dramani Mahama is considering making education free in all special schools nationwide.
This announcement was made during a meeting with Heads of Special Schools and Integrated Senior High Schools in Accra.
Mr. Iddrisu stated that the meeting was essential for collecting necessary data, conducting cost analysis, and obtaining expert opinions to prepare a Cabinet Memo for President Mahama.
He mentioned that this memo will inform a significant policy decision regarding the future of special needs education in Ghana.
He noted that President Mahama aims to implement a new, reliable, and sustainable funding model that ensures ongoing support for students with special needs, moving away from the traditional grant-based system that often leaves schools in financial difficulty.
The Minister pointed out that President Mahama’s plan includes a revised GETFund structure that will allocate funds to three main areas: Free secondary education, Free tertiary education for individuals with disabilities, and Free education for all students with special needs, pending final approval from the Cabinet and Parliament.
He estimated that special schools might need between GH¢65 million and GH¢100 million each year to function effectively under the new model. He also mentioned that feeding grants are expected to be increased to enhance student welfare.
Hon. Iddrisu stressed the importance of gathering comprehensive feedback from school leaders regarding infrastructure needs, assistive technology, teacher training, accessibility standards, and welfare support. He emphasized that this information will strengthen the case for President Mahama’s final decision.
The meeting included officials from the Special Education Division and leaders of both special and integrated schools, representing a significant move towards the expected reforms in Ghana’s special needs education system.