The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has announced that it awarded scholarships to all special needs students who applied for financial support to pursue tertiary education in 2023. This initiative comes amid increasing attention to scholarship opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs), with both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) pledging to expand such opportunities in their campaigns for the upcoming December 7 general elections.
During the 2024 National Education Week exhibition, GETFund emphasized its commitment to enhancing educational access through a significant increase in local scholarship offerings. The number of recipients has surged from 300 in 2016 to 5,000 in 2023, reflecting a focus on equity and alignment with national educational priorities, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
In an interview with Citi News, GETFund’s Public Relations Officer, Isaac Asiedu-Odei, reiterated the government’s dedication to providing equal educational opportunities for all students, especially those with disabilities. He stated, “For instance, last year, all persons with special needs were granted scholarships, provided we could confirm their status with the school. We aim to continue this support.”
As part of the National Education Week, GETFund showcased its transformative contributions to Ghana’s education sector over the past seven years, having completed 3,077 physical infrastructure projects from kindergarten to tertiary levels. Addressing claims of project abandonment by the current administration, the administrator noted that 1,800 out of 3,800 inherited projects have been completed, including 16 E-blocks and additional boarding facilities in remote areas to enhance accessibility.
In related news, Professor Yayra Dzakadzie, Director General of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), announced that results from the 2024 standardized tests will soon be released to stakeholders. These results will help students identify their strengths and weaknesses, guiding their educational support.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, represented by Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, highlighted the government’s educational achievements since 2017, noting that initiatives such as the Free Senior High School (SHS) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs have significantly increased access to education for underserved communities.
The 2024 National Education Week, launched in Accra, aims to evaluate Ghana’s educational progress, share best practices, and outline future directions. The theme for this year’s event is “The Education Transformation Agenda: Evidence From 2017.”
Source: TheDotNews