Govt releases GH¢195.5m for Free SHS feeding and NSMQ arrears

The central government, through the Ministry of Education (MoE), led by Haruna Iddrisu, has released GH¢195.5 million to support the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) feeding programme

The amount is also to settle outstanding debts owed to Primetime Limited, the organizers of the National Science and Mathematics Quiz (NSMQ), to enable public Senior High Schools to prepare their students for the competition.

He announced the disbursement at the 63rd Annual Conference of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools held in Sunyani, revealing that GH¢186 million will cover feeding costs for Free SHS students in June 2025, while GH¢9.5 million goes to Primetime Limited to clear all accumulated arrears from 2023 to date.

“Government recognizes the National Science and Mathematics Quiz (NSMQ) as a vital platform for nurturing Ghana’s future scientists and innovators,” Mr  Haruna Iddrisu told attendees of the Conference.

The release of the GH¢9.5 million comes after the CHASS, in a letter to Primetime Limited, the organizers of NSMQ, said the various Senior High Schools will not participate in the Science and Mathematics Quiz due ot a lack of funds to enable their preparations for the competition scheduled to start in October 2025.

“Schools will not be able to participate in the ballotting and subsequently, the Quiz competition due to non-availability of funds to schools to mobilize and organize their students to take part,” the letter signed by the National Secretary, Baro Primus, stated.

SHSs to participate in 2025 NSMQ

Greater Accra Region

1. Accra Girls’ SHS

2. Accra High School

3. Ashaiman SHS

4. Chemu SHTS

5. Fafraha Community SHS

6. Ghanata SHS

7. Labone SHS

8. O’Reilly SHS

9. St. John’s Grammar School

10. St. Mary’s SHS

11. St. Thomas Aquinas SHS

12. Tema Sec. School

13. West Africa SHS

Eastern Region

1. Abetifi Presby SHS

2. Aburi Girls’ SHS

3. Benkum SHS

4. Krobo Girls’ SHS

5. Kwahu Tafo SHS

6. Manya Krobo

7. SHS Nifa SHS

8. Nkwatia Presby SHS

9. Oda SHS

10. Ofori Panin SHS

11. Okuapemman School

12. Oti Boateng SHS

13. Oyoko Methodist SHS

14. Presby SHS, Suhum

15. Suhum SHTS

16. Yilo Krobo SHS

Upper East Region

1. Awe SHTS

2. Bawku SHTS

3. Bolgatanga SHS

4. Navrongo SHS

5. Zebilla SHTS

Upper West Region

1. Kanton SHS

2. Lawra SHS

3. Nandom SHS

4. St. Francis Xavier Jnr Sem.

5. SHS Wa SHS

Northen Region

1. Business SHS

2. Ghana SHS, Tamale

3. Kalpohin SHS

4. Northern School of Business

5. St. Charles Minor Sem. SHS

6. Tamale Islamic Science SHS

7. Yendi SHS

North East Region

1. Bunkpurugu SHTS

Ashanti Region

1. Adventist SHS, Bantama

2. Afua Kobi Ampem Girls’ SHS

3. Amaniampong SHS

4. Anglican SHS, Kumasi

5. Armed Forces SHTS

5. Effiduase SHCS

6. Ejisuman SHS

7. KNUST SHS

8. Kofi Agyei SHTS

9. Konongo-Odumase SHS

10. Kumasi Academy

12. Kumasi High School

13. Kumasi Sec. Tech. School

14. Kumasi Wesley Girls’ High School.

15. Mankranso SHS

16. Nsutaman Catholic SHS

17. Osei Kyeretwie SHS

18. Presby SHS, Bompata

19. SDA SHS, Bekwai

20. Serwaa Nyarko Girls’

21. SHS Simms SHS

22. St Joseph Sem. SHS

23. St. Louis SHS

24. T.I Ahmadiyya SHS, Kumasi

25. Tepa SHS

26. Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ SHS

Oti Region

1. Bueman SHS

2. Kadjebi Asato SHS

3. Krachi SHS

4. St. Mary’s Sem SHS, Lolobi

Volta Region

1. Abor SHS

2. Adidome SHS

3. Anlo SHS

4. Awudome SHS

5. E.P.C. Mawuko Girls’ SHS

6. Hohoe E.P. SHS

7. Kpando SHS OLA SHS, Ho

8. Sogakope SHS

9. St. Catherine SHS

10. St. Paul’s SHS, Denu

11. Tsito SHTS

12. Vakpo SHS