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By Patrick Biddah
The government has announced plans to transition from the long-standing grant-dependent funding system for special needs education to a more predictable and sustainable model.
This shift, according to the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, will ensure consistent support for learners with special needs across the country.
Mr Iddrisu, made this known during an engagement with Heads of Special Schools and Integrated Senior High Schools in Accra, where he outlined government’s renewed commitment to strengthening special needs education.
He explained that the new approach will be anchored on a revised GETFund structure, designed to dedicate funding not only to learners with special needs but also to persons living with disabilities at various levels of the education system.
According to the Minister, the current reliance on periodic grants has left many special schools financially vulnerable, often disrupting teaching, feeding and the availability of assistive devices.
The revised model, he said, will eliminate these uncertainties and provide the stability required for long-term planning.
Mr. Iddrisu noted that under the proposed arrangement, government estimates that between GH¢65 million and GH¢100 million annually will be needed for special schools to operate effectively and deliver the services learners require.
He emphasised that this sustainable funding structure will ensure timely releases, improve school operations, and enhance the welfare of students, particularly those who depend heavily on specialised support for learning.
The Education Minister added that the revised GETFund model forms part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader vision to expand educational opportunities and reduce barriers for persons with disabilities.
He highlighted that data gathered from school heads on infrastructure gaps, teacher capacity, accessibility challenges and the need for modern assistive technologies will feed into a final Cabinet Memo being prepared for the President.
Mr Iddrisu, stressed that these insights are essential in strengthening the justification for government’s final decision and ensuring that the redesigned funding model responds directly to the real needs of schools and learners.
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