No More Funding Battles: Forson Says Free SHS Now Has Guaranteed Lifeline
Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) programme, long dogged by questions about sustainable financing, is set for a new lease of life following the government’s decision to uncap the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the measure during his 2025 mid-year budget review to Parliament, positioning it as a “decisive fix” to an age-old problem.
For years, education stakeholders, parents, and even policymakers have debated how to keep Free SHS launched in 2017, adequately funded without straining public finances. Under the old Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act, 2017 (Act 947), statutory funds like GETFund were capped, forcing the programme to rely on unpredictable budget allocations. This often led to delayed releases, food shortages, and funding gaps, leaving students vulnerable to disruptions.
“We have cured an age-long problem, the absence of a dedicated source of funding for free secondary education,” Dr. Forson told lawmakers. “GETFund is now well-resourced and fully positioned to support Free SHS, provide free tertiary education for persons with disabilities, and deliver robust infrastructure across our secondary schools.”
Addressing Critics and Ensuring Stability
Critics of Free SHS have long questioned whether Ghana can sustain the programme without jeopardising other development priorities. The new administration argues that by removing the cap on GETFund, it has secured a predictable revenue stream, insulating the programme from the annual budget battles that previously plagued it. Government transfers to GETFund are reportedly up to date for 2025, a marked departure from past delays.
Education economists say a dedicated funding pipeline could also improve planning, allowing for timely payment of suppliers and investment in much-needed infrastructure upgrades. This is expected to benefit students, who often face overcrowded classrooms, and parents, who have shouldered costs when government funding fell short.
Wider Economic Impacts
The move could have ripple effects beyond education. Increased spending on school infrastructure is likely to create jobs in construction and supply chains, while a stronger education system promises long-term productivity gains for the economy.
Restoring Confidence
For many parents and students, the immediate impact is clear: reduced risk of disruptions due to funding shortfalls. “Our children can now remain in school, focused on learning, without the threat of being sent home due to food shortages,” Dr. Forson assured Parliament.
As the debate over Free SHS sustainability continues, the government is betting that securing a dedicated, reliable funding source will silence critics and ensure the programme’s future.
