President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has welcomed a discourse on the Free Senior High School (FSHS) Policy, observing that issues in education require a “broader conversation” in various aspects.
Speaking with visiting executives of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), the President indicated that he is open to a national conversation on the FSHS Policy, in which discourse would focus on funding, access, and sustainability.
“One of the things people are calling for is a review of free SHS. I think we should have a broader conversation about the incidence of education on our national development, and therefore also on our budgetary and public sector contributions to national education. “
While defending the policy as pro-poor, he shrugged off any possibility of its cancellation, noting that he is aware that a section of Ghanaians are forcefully opposed to the policy.
“Already there are some who are eager to curtail some of the important initiatives such as the Free SHS policy. There are powerful forces in society who are against it and insisting that education should be what parents can afford or contribute”, President Akufo-Addo remarked.
Many civil society groups have called on the President to review the policy, stating that it has resulted in quality, not quantity. They further argue that it has contributed to a drain on the country’s limited resources, adding that parents who have the means should be allowed to fund their ward’s education.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the education think tank, Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), Kofi Asare, has welcomed the intention of the President to move a national conversation on the FSHS policy.
“Eduwatch acknowledges His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s call for a broader conversation on the financing of the free SHS policy.”
“Every policy is reviewed to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The free SHS is very effective, but not cost-efficient.”, Mr. Asare said in a Facebook post on Thursday .
