Haruna Iddrisu plans Free SHS feeding allowance increase in 2027 Budget

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that the government intends to increase the feeding allocation for students under the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme. Speaking at the 64th Annual National Conference of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) in Ho, the Minister revealed that the proposed adjustment is slated for the 2027 Budget. This move follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama to improve the nutritional quality of meals provided to students across the country.

Under the new directive, school meals will be enhanced by the addition of protein sources, specifically chicken and eggs. The Minister emphasized that these improvements are part of a broader strategy to ensure the well-being of students while maintaining the sustainability of the flagship education policy. Currently, the per-student feeding allocation stands at GH₵15, and the Education Ministry has already initiated discussions with the Ministry of Finance to determine the scale of the increase for the upcoming fiscal cycle.

In addition to the feeding allowance hike, Iddrisu addressed the financial pressures facing second-cycle institutions. He confirmed that the government is taking steps to clear approximately GH₵161 million in outstanding debts owed to various schools. This backlog has been a significant concern for school administrators, and its resolution is intended to stabilize school operations and improve relationships with suppliers who provide essential goods to the institutions.

The Minister also signaled a potential shift in administrative procedures regarding the disbursement of funds. He indicated that the government is exploring a system where schools would receive their full allocations at the start of the academic year rather than in staggered payments. These measures are expected to provide much-needed financial relief to school heads and improve the overall educational experience for students in the second-cycle sector by ensuring resources are available when needed.