The Finance Minister has come up to defend the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy in the face of rising criticism and requests for its repeal, highlighting the moral obligation to ensure that every Ghanaian child has access to education.
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Due to difficulties with school nutrition and infrastructure, the policy has come under fire.
The Finance Minister acknowledged the issues with the Free SHS policy during a discussion with business leaders prior to the 2023 Mid-year Budget Review and concurred that means testing might be an option.
The Finance Minister acknowledged the issues with the Free SHS policy during a discussion with business leaders prior to the 2023 Mid-year Budget Review and concurred that means testing might be an option.
However, he highlighted that all children in Ghana have a right to education, which is a fundamental human right.
He emphasized that even while some parents might not be able or willing to support their children’s education, it is the nation’s duty to find a method to ensure that those kids have access to a quality education.
“There is the issue of free senior high school. People talk about means testing, which I agree with, but we should also take into account that that child is Ghanaian. The fact that the parent may not want to do it does not mean that as a Ghanaian citizen, I should not find a way for that child to go through senior high.”
“President Akufo-Addo and what he thinks about is the strength of the human capital at any cost, and I can guarantee you that he is sincere in wanting to put this country where it should be. Get people educated, and there are no limits to what they can accomplish, said the finance minister.
The Free SHS policy, which was put in place to give all Ghanaian students access to free secondary education, has encountered difficulties recently.
One of the main problems is related to nutrition, since some schools struggle to give their pupils enough food because of a lack of finance and supplies.
There have so been worries that if these issues continue, some schools may possibly have to think about closing.
The situation has spurred discussions among lawmakers and public alike, with some claiming that the legislation needs to be reviewed and possibly repealed in order to adequately manage the escalating problems.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has strongly reassured the public that the Free Secondary Education Policy will stay in place despite these cries for reform.
