Accra: The government has raised the daily feeding allowance for special needs schools from GHS 8.00 to GHS 15.00 per child. This adjustment, effective from this year, is designed to help these schools meet essential daily obligations and alleviate the financial burden on staff and management in caring for children and young adults across the nation's 30 government-assisted special needs schools.
According to Ghana News Agency, this increment fulfills the government's electoral promise to provide adequate resources for special needs schools. The additional funds are expected to support regular feeding, supply basic learning materials, and improve the overall welfare of the learners, who rely on these schools for both education and care.
Mrs. Roseline Adjepong, Headmistress of the Garden City Special School at Asokore-Mampong and Chairperson of the Conference of Heads of Special Needs Schools, emphasized the significant impact of the stipend increase on school operations. She noted that the feeding program has become more consistent following the government's intervention, as management previously struggled to maintain balanced meals throughout the day with the former stipend.
Mrs. Adjepong expressed satisfaction with the government's intervention and appreciated the integration of Special Needs schools under the GETFUND, highlighting it as a positive step towards financing education for learners with disabilities and special educational needs. She observed that the increased stipend has bolstered classroom participation and morale among both learners and teachers at her school, which accommodates 242 inmates, comprised of 153 males and 89 females.
She remarked that well-fed and comfortable learners are more inclined to attend lessons, engage in group activities, and participate in practical sessions in the vocational department. Mrs. Adjepong also reminded the government of its promise to provide the school with new vehicles and extended her gratitude to the local MP, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, for his continuous support, including recent donations of food items, classroom furniture, and sewing machines.
The sewing machines, she noted, have enhanced practical training, equipping learners with employable skills for their future livelihoods. She called upon philanthropists to support the school, emphasizing the need for ongoing assistance to improve infrastructure and ensure learners are trained in conducive environments.
The school currently employs 48 teaching and non-teaching staff.