Former President John Dramani Mahama has assured that the Free Senior High School policy will not be abolished by his next government, promising to ensure proper funding for an improved quality of education if elected to power again in the December presidential election.
Speaking at a public engagement in Accra, Mr. Mahama said the Free SHS policy introduced by the current government had advanced the access to secondary education for Ghanaian students considerably. He, however, admitted that challenges were high in the spheres of quality of education, infrastructure, and how the policy would be sustained.
"The Free SHS policy, no doubt, has opened up opportunities for many students who, otherwise, would not have had the opportunity to enter second-cycle institutions. But if we are really serious about making it work, then we need to ensure that funding behind the programme is regular and consistent to meet the ever-growing demands for the programme," said Mahama.
He said that under his watch, the government would put in place a more formal mechanism for funding of the program in such a way that it can be sustained without sacrificing the quality of education given to the pupils and students. Mahama also guaranteed that educational resources, including qualified teachers, modern teaching materials, and better school facilities, would be upgraded to give students the best learning environment possible.
"We cannot allow the future of our children to be jeopardized because of inadequacies of resources. Indeed, quality education is so foundational to the development of any nation, and I am committed to ensuring that every Ghanaian child receives the best of education," he added.
The Akufo-Addo administration introduced the Free SHS policy in 2017, and the program has been one of the major flagship programs for the government. While critics note that the policy increased enrolment rates, the idea is not financially viable and cannot lead to quality education amidst overcrowded classrooms and underfunded schools, critics have blasted government operatives.
This perhaps is part of his larger education policy statement, which balances access with quality. As the political temperature rises, Mahama's commitment to prioritizing funding for education will, no doubt, impress voters who are parents and their wards concerned about the prospects for the future of the Free SHS program.
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