The government of Ghana has allocated GH¢1.37 billion towards ending the double-track system in senior high schools and restoring a stable academic calendar, while GH¢537 million has been earmarked for the No Fees Stress Policy for first-year tertiary students in 2027.
The allocations were announced by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson during the presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
The GH¢1.37 billion allocation is expected to support efforts to expand infrastructure in senior high schools and increase their capacity to accommodate students, paving the way for the eventual abolition of the double-track system.
The move is in line with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s commitment to end the arrangement, as outlined in its 2024 manifesto, which also promised to complete abandoned E-block projects and expand facilities in existing senior high schools.
On tertiary education, government has allocated GH¢537 million to the No Fees Stress Policy to cover academic-related fees for first-year students in public tertiary institutions.
The policy, launched by President John Dramani Mahama in July 2025, is aimed at reducing the financial burden on students and improving access to tertiary education. The 2025 Budget had earlier allocated GH¢499.8 million to the initiative under the No-Academic-Fee Policy.
In the broader education sector, government has earmarked GH¢48 billion for the Ministry of Education to support teaching, learning and access to education in 2027.
A significant portion of the funding, amounting to GH¢11.2 billion, has been allocated to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to finance educational infrastructure development.
Other key allocations include GH¢292 million for the distribution of free sanitary pads to schoolgirls, a measure intended to promote girls’ participation and retention in education.
Government has also set aside GH¢227 million for teacher trainee allowances, GH¢169 million to cover Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) fees and GH¢166 million for the Capitation Grant.
Additionally, GH¢133 million will support existing educational interventions aimed at sustaining teaching and learning, while GH¢50 million has been allocated to special schools to cater for learners requiring specialised educational support.
The Scholarship Secretariat is also expected to receive GH¢250 million to support its scholarship programmes.
The education allocations form part of the government’s spending priorities for 2027, with emphasis on expanding school infrastructure, improving access to education and easing the financial burden on students and their families.
