The government has allocated GH¢4 billion this year to support feeding under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has disclosed.
He said the allocation was intended to ensure a steady supply of food to senior high schools across the country and improve student welfare.
Mr Iddrisu noted that, for the first time in many years, schools were not experiencing food shortages, describing the situation as a significant improvement.
The Minister made the remarks yesterday when he addressed staff and students of Aburi Girls Senior High School during a monitoring visit to the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
He attributed the improvement in food supply to the government’s decision to uncap the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), explaining that the fund, in collaboration with the Ghana Commodity Exchange and the Buffer Stock Company, was ensuring adequate food provision for schools.
According to him, the feeding component of the Free SHS policy was now being effectively managed through GETFund financing.
Mr Iddrisu also disclosed that the government was seeking approval from the World Bank for a US$300 million infrastructure development programme to improve educational facilities nationwide.
He said the initiative would see 30 Category C schools upgraded to Category B, while 20 Category B schools would be elevated to Category A status.
Additional investments would also be made to improve infrastructure in existing Category A schools.
He explained that the programme formed part of broader efforts to enhance educational outcomes, strengthen infrastructure and improve the overall learning environment for students.
Touching on basic education, Mr Iddrisu said the government was reviewing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) timetable to ease pressure on candidates.
He observed that the current five-day schedule placed considerable stress on students and indicated that a revised timetable would allow more time between papers.
According to him, the new arrangement would see the examination begin on a Wednesday and end the following Wednesday to give candidates adequate preparation time.
Mr Iddrisu commended the leadership of Aburi Girls Senior High School for their role in the development of the school and the welfare of its students.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL, ABURI
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