Feeding issues in SHS resolved – Haruna Iddrisu

The government says measures have been put in place to end the food supply challenges that previously affected some senior high schools under the Free SHS programme.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu said authorities identified feeding difficulties as one of the major setbacks confronting the implementation of the policy after reviewing operations across schools nationwide.

According to him, those concerns have now been addressed through improved financial support and planning to ensure students remain in school without interruptions linked to food shortages.

The Minister gave the assurance while commissioning the National Teaching Council’s regional office complex in Tamale.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Iddrisu admitted that inadequate food supply had, at different times, disrupted academic activities in some secondary schools and compelled management to send students home earlier than expected.

“Having examined the feeding of Free Senior High School students, we realised that there were many times that schools had to be closed down or, in the course of the academic year, students had to be asked to go home because there was inadequate food. That is now a thing of the past,” he said.

He explained that the government has strengthened the financing structure backing the Free SHS programme to guarantee regular supply of food to schools across the country.

Mr Iddrisu indicated that funding support from the Ghana Education Trust Fund would play a key role in sustaining the programme and avoiding the challenges experienced in previous years.

“There are adequate resources and adequate funding from GetFund to finance Free Senior High School,” he stated.

The Education Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining the Free SHS policy while improving conditions within the country’s secondary education system.

He said the administration remains focused on ensuring uninterrupted teaching and learning for students benefiting from the programme nationwide.