Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, has announced that the government will roll out a fully free education policy for persons with special needs from January 2026.
The policy will apply to all 39 Integrated and Special Needs Schools nationwide and is expected to ease the financial burden on families while improving access to inclusive education.
Mr Iddrisu made the announcement in Parliament on Wednesday, December 3, while contributing to a statement to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
As part of the intervention, the daily feeding allowance for learners in special needs schools will be increased from GH¢8 to GH¢15, a move the Minister said would improve nutrition and create better learning conditions for students.
He also disclosed that between GH¢65 million and GH¢100 million would be allocated annually from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to sustain the programme and provide resources needed for its effective implementation.
From January 1, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama will formally declare education for all persons with special needs free, the Minister said, describing the policy as a significant legacy in Ghana’s education sector.
He noted that most of the Integrated and Special Needs Schools are located in the Ashanti and Volta Regions and said the government remained committed to ensuring that children with disabilities received the care, support and education necessary to reach their full potential.
