Free special needs education takes off as Govt allocates GH¢100m
The government has introduced a free special needs education policy for persons with disabilities across Ghana, with the initiative covering tuition, accommodation and assistive devices up to the tertiary level.
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced the policy as part of government’s efforts to promote inclusive, equitable and quality education for all citizens, regardless of ability or background.
Speaking at a press conference to officially launch the programme, Mr Iddrisu said the initiative had been made possible following amendments to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Act by Parliament, which now provides the legal basis for funding special needs education.
He disclosed that GH¢100 million had been allocated in the 2026 GETFund budget formula to support the implementation of the policy.
“In the 2026 budget of the GETFund formula, an amount of GH¢100 million was allocated for the implementation of free special needs education for persons with disability,” he said.
The minister explained that the GETFund Act 581 empowers him to issue policy directives to ensure effective implementation of the programme.
The initiative, he said, forms part of the government’s social intervention agenda and is intended to provide greater opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Ghana currently has 39 public special and integrated schools across the country, comprising 29 special boarding schools, seven integrated schools for persons with visual impairment and three integrated schools for persons with hearing impairment.
These institutions serve approximately 9,000 learners, including about 8,800 boarders and 200 day students.
Mr Iddrisu assured that the GH¢100 million allocation would continue beyond 2026, with GETFund expected to provide annual support for special needs education throughout President John Dramani Mahama’s tenure.
He said the funding would enable the government to improve access to education and ensure that learners with special needs receive the necessary support to develop their talents and potential.
“Special needs and disability never meant limited opportunity. The promise of education must reach every child in every community, regardless of ability, background, gender and circumstance,” he said.
The minister added that GETFund would now absorb feeding costs for learners in public special and integrated schools, relieving school authorities of the challenge of depending on government releases for their operations.
He further announced an increase in the feeding allowance for students in special schools from GH¢8 to GH¢15, with the adjustment taking immediate effect.
The National President of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, Joseph Atsu Homadzi, commended the government for introducing the initiative, describing it as a major step towards improving educational opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Mr Homadzi, who has more than 30 years’ experience as a teacher, said the policy represented the first time a deliberate system had been established to promote special needs education in Ghana.
“This is the first time that a system has been deliberately put in place to promote special needs education in Ghana,” he said.
He urged parents of children with disabilities to take advantage of the free education opportunity and enrol their children in school, stressing that financial barriers should no longer prevent them from accessing education.
“Children with disabilities have no reason now to stay out of school because this government has opened the doors widely for children with disabilities,” he added.
Mr Homadzi emphasised that national development could only be achieved when all citizens, including persons with disabilities, were included in the country’s progress.