Govt 2025 budget on the education promising – Eduwatch Director

The Executive Director of Africa Education Watch (EduWatch), Mr Kofi Asare, has described the central government’s this year’s budget allocation for the country’s education as promising, saying it has given hope to the education sector.

Reacting to the 2025 budget presented by the Minister of Finance, Dr Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on Tuesday to Parliament, the Executive Director of EduWatch said the allocations to specific areas such as the Free Senior High School, the Capitation Grants, school feeding, and free textbooks are step in the right direction.

“The education budget looks promising from the speech. It does not look like one of a limping economy. When the Budget Statement is ready, we shall publish our full analysis,” he said in a social media post sighted by Pretertiary.com.

The Africa Education Watch (EduWatch) Director noted that government allocations to key sectors particularly the education sector where GHC3.5 billion allocation to free Senior High School programme were the highest compared to previous years.

“The GH¢3.5 billion allocation to free SHS is the highest ever; representing about a 30% increase over the 2024 main budget allocation,” Mr Kofi Asare stated.

He added “The GH¢145 million allocation for Capitation Grant is the highest in the history of Ghana basic education. It represents a 72% increase over the 2024 main budget allocation. Ensuring Budget Credibility through timely releases is Key!”

However, the Africa Education Watch (EduWatch) official disagreed with the government’s allocation of GH¢203 million for teacher trainee allowances and over GH¢200 million for nursing trainee allowances.

Mr Kofi Asare described the allocations as wasteful and suggested that the money be used to improve the student loan scheme.

“These are allocations; we are yet to see the full details of the budget statement, especially on education, and respond appropriately.

Our response to the allocations is good, which is 10 per cent; 90 per cent is how the government will ensure its timely release to the sectors,” the EduWatch Executive Director said.

Mr Asare said the credibility of the budget would depend on how the allocations were implemented, calling on sector agencies to ensure spending efficiency.

He commended the central government’s plan to distribute free sanitary pads to girls in schools, stating that the initiative would help reduce absenteeism during their menstrual periods.

This year’s budget presented by the Minister in Charge of Finance allocated GH¢499.8 million for the No-Academic-Fee policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions.

It also allocated GH¢292.4 million to begin the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools.

The government has also decided to uncap the GETFund to provide dedicated funds for fully financing free secondary education and free tertiary education for persons with disabilities.

The budget also allocated GH¢145.5 million to the Capitation Grant, up from GH¢84 million in 2024, marking a 73.2 per cent increase.

An additional GH¢203 million was allocated for Teacher Trainee allowances and GH¢480 million for Nursing Trainee allowances.

Dr Cassiel Forson assured Parliament that policies put in place by the government shifts will enhance education quality, expand access to tertiary education for marginalised groups, and provide sustainable financing for the Free SHS programme.