Policy think tank Africa Education Watch has raised alarm over what it describes as grossly inadequate funding for practical training in Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, warning that the situation is undermining the delivery of industry-relevant skills.
In its 2026 First Quarter Education Policy Monitoring report, the organisation revealed that the current allocation for practical training under the Free TVET policy is insufficient to support effective hands-on learning.
“Allocating GHC 33 per student for practicals for a whole academic year does not support industry-relevant skills training, as most TVET schools end up conducting only one practical session a month instead of one each week,” the report stated.
According to the think tank, even the limited practical sessions being conducted are often compromised due to inadequate resources.
“Even the one practical work is highly compromised,” it added.
Africa Education Watch further criticised the existing funding framework, noting that it is modelled after the Free SHS system and fails to reflect the cost-intensive nature of technical and vocational education.
“The current TVET costing framework, which is based on Free SHS, is not fit for purpose, as evidence prior to Free TVET indicates that TVET is at least twice as expensive as general secondary education,” the report explained.
It warned that continuing with the current model risks producing graduates who lack the practical competencies required by industry.
“Continuing with this approach only means providing theory-rich skills training in our schools, a major complaint from industry,” the report emphasised.
The organisation stressed that without urgent reforms to the financing model, Ghana’s efforts to position TVET as a driver of industrialisation and job creation could be significantly undermined.
Africa Education Watch is therefore calling on government to review the funding structure for TVET to ensure adequate investment in practical training, which remains central to the effectiveness of the sector.
