The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured Ghanaians that the government has resolved feeding challenges under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme and made adequate financial provisions to ensure a steady supply of food for students.
According to the Minister, a review of the Free SHS policy revealed critical challenges, particularly with food supply and student feeding, which had affected the smooth implementation of the programme. He noted that concrete measures have since been put in place to address these issues and guarantee uninterrupted academic activities in senior high schools.
Haruna Iddrisu gave the assurance during the commissioning of the National Teaching Council’s regional office complex in Tamale.
He acknowledged that in the past, food shortages in some schools had led to serious disruptions, sometimes forcing authorities to close schools prematurely or send students home before the end of term.
“Having examined the feeding of Free Senior High School students, we realised that there were many times that schools had to be closed down or, in the course of the academic year, students had to be asked to go home because there was inadequate food. That is now a thing of the past,” the Minister said.
Mr Iddrisu stressed that the government has strengthened financing arrangements for the programme, particularly through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), to ensure sustainable support.
“There are adequate resources and adequate funding from GETFund to finance Free Senior High School,” he added.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to sustaining and improving the flagship Free SHS policy.