Government releases funds for June Free SHS feeding, NSMQ arrears — Education Minister

The Ministry of Education has released a total of GHS 195.5 million to cover feeding for free Senior High School for June 2025, and to clear the arrears owed organisers of the National Science and Mathematics Quiz (NSMQ) competition.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, announced this in his address at the 63rd Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) in Sunyani.

The feeding fee for June is GHS186 million, while the amount owed Primetime from 2023 to date is GHS 9.5 million.

Additionally, the Ministry has directed all CHASS schools to be moved from prepaid meters to postpaid meters, effective 2026.

The conference is on theme: “Ensuring Comprehensive Equitable, and Sustainable Secondary Education in Ghana: The Role of Stakeholders.”

On Friday October 3, CHASS issued a statement indicating that it “will not be able to participate” in this year's NSMQ due to lack of funds.

The statement singed by Mr Baro Primus, CHASS National Secretary, and addressed to the Managing Director of Primetime, organisers of the NSMQ programme, said an invitation to participate in balloting for the quiz was also not “possible.”

CHASS, however, noted that once the government made funds available, “it will be able to participate in the programme.”

“We want to assure the organisers that, as soon as government releases funds for that purpose, CHASS will review its position and communicate to you accordingly,” the statement added.

NSMQ is the annual competition for Senior High Schools in the country to showcase their competence in Mathematics and Science tests.

It aims to promote the study of the subjects among students.

The number of schools in the competition has been increased from 124 to 174.

The contest has become Ghana's longest-running, independently produced television quiz show and has helped launch the careers of many top scientists and professionals.

GNA