Financing for equity in pre-primary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
The official entrance age to pre-primary education is 4 years old, with 2 years of free and compulsory pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks. In 2021, the net enrolment rate for pre-primary (both sexes) was 75%.
Governance
In Ghana, education at the basic education level (including pre-primary, primary and lower secondary levels from ages 4-15) is delivered by the Ministry of Education through its lead agency, the Ghana Education Service, which implements policy and delivers education services across the country. Pre-primary education covers children aged 4-5 before they enter primary school at age 6. Public pre-primary schools are funded by the government through the Consolidated Fund and GETFund. The Ghana Education Service manages recurrent expenses, while the GETFund finances a range of initiatives, including grants and subsidies.
The 2021 Early Childhood Education Policy supports 15% of the national education budget to be allocated to pre-primary education programmes and activities.
Tuition-free status
The government of Ghana has abolished school fees in public basic schools, covering pre-primary to lower secondary levels.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
In 2010, the government launched the Decentralisation Policy Framework to strengthen funding allocation at the metropolitan, municipal, and district levels and to involve local communities in decision-making. Education resources transferred from the central government to districts are mainly provided through capitation grants. However, allocations do not follow an equitable funding formula across regions and districts, resulting in persistent geographical disparities in per-student non-salary funding levels.
2. Education resources to institutions
Abolition of School Fees and Capitation Grants
Since 2005, the government of Ghana has abolished school fees in public basic schools, covering pre-primary to lower secondary levels, and replaced them with capitation grants. All public basic schools under the Ghana Education Service (including pre-primary schools) receive these grants, which are distributed through the district directorate of education to cover non-tuition levies such as examination fees, facilities management, security charges, cultural activities, and sports. Schools receive allocations based on student enrolment within their districts.
In 2017, the Ministry of Education introduced a base grant policy to promote equity, allowing schools to receive an equal share of the total grant at the beginning of the school calendar year, with the remaining funds distributed according to enrolment for the other two terms. The base grant, however, is not means-tested and does not support targeted allocations based on disadvantage, except for special schools.
The 2021 Early Childhood Education Policy aims to ensure that all public primary schools have pre-primary classes attached, while promoting equitable access to kindergarten, with an emphasis on children with special education needs.
Inclusive and Special Education Programme
The Inclusive and Special Education Programme, in operation since 2003, seeks to ensure access to education for all learners, including those with physical or mental impairments, orphans, and students identified as slow or fast learners, either through integration into the formal system or attendance at special basic schools. Support under the programme includes capitation grants and feeding grants for public special schools (including at the pre-primary level), provision of textbooks, braille materials, and other teaching and learning resources, as well as funds to cover utility bills in special schools. As of 2023, there were 31 public special schools in Ghana, including four secondary schools.
3. Education resources to students and families
There are no subsidies or vouchers for students at the pre-primary level.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme
The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) is a cash transfer initiative launched in 2008 to support extremely poor and vulnerable households, including orphans, vulnerable children, and persons with severe disabilities. The education objectives of the programme are to increase basic school enrolment, attendance, and retention among beneficiary children aged 5 to 15 years. Orphans and vulnerable children receiving support under the programme are required to meet specific conditions, which for children in this age group include enrolment and regular attendance in public basic schools.
