The Ministry of Education has disbursed a total of GH¢195.5 million to support the Free Senior High School (SHS) feeding programme and to clear outstanding arrears owed the organisers of the National Science and Mathematics Quiz (NSMQ) from 2023 to date.
Out of the total amount, GH¢186 million will cover the cost of feeding for Free SHS students for June 2025, while GH¢9.5 million has been released to Primetime Limited, the producers of the NSMQ, to settle all accumulated debts.
Minister of Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, announced the release of the funds at the 63rd Annual Conference of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), held in Sunyani, Bono Region.
He said the disbursement underscores government’s commitment to supporting quality education and ensuring that flagship programmes such as Free SHS and the NSMQ continue to thrive without financial disruptions.
“Government recognises the NSMQ as a vital platform for nurturing Ghana’s future scientists and innovators. The release of these funds demonstrates our dedication to sustaining academic excellence and promoting equitable access to education,” Mr Iddrisu said.
He also announced a directive for all CHASS schools to transition from prepaid electricity meters to postpaid meters by 2026, a move aimed at easing operational challenges and improving efficiency in school management.
The release comes in the wake of mounting concerns over the delay in the 2025 NSMQ season, which typically begins with regional qualifiers between June and August, followed by national contests in September and October.
However, this year’s programme was disrupted due to funding challenges, prompting Primetime to postpone the official launch and preliminary rounds to mid-October.
On Friday, October 3, CHASS issued a statement announcing that it “will not be able to participate in this year’s NSMQ” because of the government’s delay in releasing funds.
The statement, signed by Mr Baro Primus, National Secretary of CHASS, and addressed to the Managing Director of Primetime, said it was also “not possible” for schools to take part in the balloting exercise for the competition.
CHASS, however, added that it would review its position and communicate a new decision “as soon as government releases funds for that purpose.”
With the Ministry’s recent payment, full participation of all qualified schools in this year’s NSMQ is now expected.
The Minister noted that the number of participating schools has been increased from 124 to 174, reflecting government’s commitment to broadening access and fostering greater inclusion in science and mathematics education.
He commended Primetime for maintaining the quiz’s high standards despite operational challenges and urged the private sector to deepen sponsorship support to ensure the competition’s sustainability.
The NSMQ, first launched in 1993, remains Ghana’s longest-running academic competition, serving as a platform for SHS students to demonstrate their proficiency in science and mathematics.
Over the years, it has inspired countless students and produced some of the nation’s leading scientists, engineers, and policymakers.
