Parliament approves GH¢9.8B GETFUND allocation for 2026 to boost education sector

Parliament has greenlit a GH¢9.8 billion budget for the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) in 2026, with significant portions earmarked for the Free Senior High School programme, tertiary education, scholarships, and infrastructure development.

The approved allocation underscores government’s continued commitment to expanding access to quality education at all levels, with detailed breakdowns revealing priority areas for the upcoming fiscal year.

Free SHS Gets Lion’s Share

The flagship Free Senior High School policy receives the largest portion of the fund, with GH¢4.2 billion dedicated to sustaining the programme. This allocation aims to ensure uninterrupted academic work for the over one million students currently benefiting from the policy across the country.

Tertiary Education Support

The tertiary education sub-sector has been allocated GH¢1.5 billion, representing a substantial investment in higher education. Within this allocation, GH¢300 million has been specifically set aside for scholarships, covering both continuing students and fresh applicants pursuing studies locally and internationally under the GETFund scholarship scheme.

Infrastructure Development

Educational infrastructure receives significant attention in the 2026 budget, with GH¢230 million allocated for the completion of ongoing basic school projects nationwide. Additionally, GH¢310 million has been budgeted for the construction of new educational facilities to address infrastructure deficits in underserved communities.

The approved funding is expected to accelerate work on stalled projects and provide modern learning environments for students across the country.

Strategic Objectives

The 2026 funding formula reflects government’s strategic priorities in education, focusing on:

· Sustaining access through the Free SHS programme
· Supporting tertiary students through scholarships
· Expanding and improving educational infrastructure

Stakeholders in the education sector have welcomed the approval, noting that timely release of funds will be crucial to achieving the intended objectives.

The GETFund allocation forms part of government’s broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s educational system and ensure that every child has access to quality learning opportunities from basic to tertiary level.