Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, has claimed that the Ghanaian government invests approximately GH¢9,000 per student enrolled in the Free Senior High School (SHS) program.
This financial commitment, he says, ensures that students across various public schools have access to secondary education without facing financial obstacles.
Mr Nkansah emphasized that this substantial investment demonstrates the government’s dedication to providing quality education for all Ghanaian students.
He further revealed that the government allocates over GH¢9,000 for each Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) student, which is slightly more than the expenditure for SHS students.
In a Facebook post on October 9, Nkansah reiterated that education is a top priority for the current administration, recognizing its vital role in the socio-economic transformation of the country.
He stated, “On average, the government spent GH¢8,936 on SHS boarding students and GH¢9,808 on TVET boarding students for three years, based on the 2021 academic year rates.” He highlighted the impact of these programs, noting that “people who cannot save 10,000 cedis their entire life are getting their children educated for free. Impacting generations.”
Since the implementation of the Free Senior High School program in September 2017, the Ministry has achieved significant milestones, including an 11% increase in enrolment that year, which set a record with over 470,000 students enrolled in the 2017/18 academic year.
Minister of Finance Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has reported that the government has spent GH¢9.9 billion on the Free SHS policy since its inception.
Every Ghanaian child placed in a public Second Cycle Institution through the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) is eligible for a free SHS education, reinforcing the government’s commitment to enhancing access to quality education for all.