Ghana’s 2026 national budget introduces a notable intervention aimed at strengthening basic education through the provision of free textbooks and learning materials for learners nationwide. Announced by Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, the initiative assigns Ghana Publishing Company Limited responsibility for producing curriculum-aligned textbooks and workbooks for Kindergarten, Primary, and Junior High School learners.

The programme responds to long-standing gaps in access to learning materials and reflects renewed attention to the foundational conditions that support learning across Ghana’s basic education system.

What the free textbook programme covers

Under the 2026 budget:

• Kindergarten learners
  Approximately 1 million pupils are expected to receive four sets of books and workbooks each.

• Primary school learners
  Around 2 million pupils are expected to receive four sets of textbooks aligned with the standards-based curriculum.

• Junior High School (JHS 3) learners
  An estimated 1 million students are expected to receive nine subject-specific textbooks at their curriculum level.

To meet this scale, Ghana Publishing Company Limited has expanded printing capacity, introduced additional production shifts, and strengthened quality-control processes. The programme also supports local publishing and printing industries, reinforcing domestic production capabilities within the education sector.

Why textbook access Matters

In many schools, particularly in rural communities, limited access to textbooks has meant learners sharing materials or working without consistent resources. Reliable access to textbooks can support:

• • literacy and numeracy development

• • clearer lesson structure and pacing 

• • more consistent learning experiences across schools and regions

• • improved delivery of the standards-based curriculum

While textbooks alone do not determine learning outcomes, they remain a foundational element of an effective learning environment.

Perspectives from across the education system

Teachers and School Administrators
Educators have welcomed the initiative as a response to persistent material shortages. Consistent access to textbooks supports lesson planning, classroom organisation, and continuity of instruction.

NGOs and Education Groups
Education focused organisations note that personal access to learning materials is associated with improved engagement and learner confidence, while emphasising the importance of transparent and equitable distribution.

Policy Analysts
Education analysts highlight that textbooks are most effective when paired by teacher training, supervision, and ongoing pedagogical support.

Parents and community leaders
Families have expressed cautious optimism, particularly around reduced household costs and improved classroom participation, especially in lower-income communities.

How this fits within the wider 2026 education budget

The free textbook initiative sits alongside broader education investments, including:

• • classroom construction and rehabilitation

• • teacher accommodation and facility improvements

• • upgrades to school learning environments

Together, these measures aim to strengthen equity, consistency, and learning quality across Ghana’s basic education system.

Implementation beyond policy

Sustained progress in education depends on coordinated effort. Beyond government action, schools, families, civil society organisations, and education partners all play a role in ensuring that initiatives reach learners as intended and are implemented thoughtfully.

Organisations working alongside schools, including Homeland Ghana Educational Foundation, continue to focus on the everyday conditions that help children remain in school and learn well over time.

Closing reflection 

The 2026 free textbook programme represents a meaningful step toward strengthening the foundations of basic education in Ghana. By improving access to curriculum-aligned learning materials and pairing this with broader investments in infrastructure and school environments, the initiative has the potential to support more consistent learning experiences nationwide.

As with all large-scale education reforms, its long-term value will depend on careful implementation, equitable  distribution, and continued attention to the systems that support learning beyond textbooks alone.