Free SHS is not about politics -- Akufo-Addo
President Nana Akufo-Addo says the decision to implement the Free SHS
policy was not influenced by a desire to score political points, but by
the need to offer opportunities for Ghanaians, especially the deprived
and marginalised.
“The Free Senior High School policy continues to be controversial; some people are determined to make politics out of it.
“For me, it is not about politics, it is about the progress of our
country – what kind of education policy we should have that will allow
us to move forward quickly.
"They said I couldn’t do it, it will be a reality,” he said.
The President is scheduled to launch the programme at the West
African Secondary School (WASS) at Adenta in Accra on Tuesday, where he
will also provide further details on his flagship education policy.
The policy is expected to afford over 420,000 senior high school students free access to secondary education.
At the 60th anniversary of the Okuapeman SHS at Akropong-Akuapem,
President Akufo-Addo said the Free SHS policy was aimed at building an
educated populace for speedy national development and progress.
“By free SHS, we mean that in addition to tuition, which is already
free, there will be no admission fees, no library fees, no science
centre fees, no computer laboratory fees, no examination fees, no
utility fees. There will be free textbooks, free boarding and free meals
and day students will get a meal at school for free.
“Free SHS will also cover agricultural, vocational and technical institutions at the high school level,” the President had said.
Despite challenges that greeted the implementation of the policy on
Monday with the reopening of schools across the country, parents and
some heads of high schools have welcomed the move.
Some schools say they are yet to receive funds that will support the
implementation of the programme, amid claims some headmasters are
charging fees exempted from the policy.
Some parents complain the computerised school placement system has
failed to select their children. Others say their children have been
sent to day schools at locations far away from their residence.
Speaking Monday at the Flagstaff House the President called for public support to make the policy successful.
“I need the support of people like you and all well-meaning Ghanaians
to make a success of this policy. If it succeeds it opens up huge
opportunities for a lot of people who perhaps didn’t see a future for
themselves,” the President urged.
Unapproved fees
Meanwhile, Government says it will sanction any head teacher who charges fees exempted from the policy.
Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Otor Plahar,
said the Ministry will descend heavily on any headmaster trying to
derail the implementation of the programme.
Mr Plahar was speaking Monday on Adom FM’s flagship political
programme, Burning Issues, hosted by Afia Pokua on some challenges
associated with the registration and placement of some SHS students
across the country.
“People should not take things for granted, so definitely the
Minister of Education will not sit down for anyone to derail this
programme so I can assure you any headmaster found flouting the
directive will be brought to book“ he cautioned.
The warning follows reports by some parents that authorities at the
Presbyterian Senior High Technical School at Aburi in the Eastern Region
are taking in excess of GHC 320 from parents for the purchase of
sandals, jacket, PTA and other school items, in contravention of
government's directive.
Credit: myjoyonline
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