Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has disclosed that a significant portion of the 2026 Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) budget has been earmarked for the implementation of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, June 18, the MP revealed that 42 percent of GETFund’s locally generated revenue has been committed to financing the Free SHS policy, with a substantial share of the allocation expected to cover student feeding costs.
The minister noted that the increasing dependence on GETFund resources to sustain Free SHS could place pressure on the Fund’s core mandate, particularly in areas such as infrastructure development, basic education support, and other strategic interventions within the education sector.
According to him, the current funding arrangement may limit the availability of resources needed to improve learning conditions across the country, especially at the foundational level.
He stressed the importance of reviewing the financing structure to ensure that GETFund continues to prioritise investments that strengthen literacy and numeracy among young learners.
Haruna Iddrisu argued that preserving more of the Fund’s resources for infrastructure projects and educational development programmes would contribute to better long-term outcomes for Ghana’s education system.
The comments were made during parliamentary discussions on education financing and the sustainability of major government policies in the sector.
During the debate, the Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Asare, questioned the use of a large portion of GETFund resources for feeding students under the Free SHS programme.
She maintained that student feeding does not fall within the Fund’s primary responsibilities and warned that such expenditures could reduce funding available for classroom blocks, dormitories, and other essential infrastructure projects.
Her concerns echoed growing calls among policymakers for a reassessment of how educational resources are allocated to balance the needs of Free SHS, infrastructure development, and foundational education.
Established to support educational development nationwide, GETFund plays a key role in financing school infrastructure, scholarships, and programmes designed to improve access to quality education across Ghana.
