Convene a national forum to address FSHS implementation challenges - Apaak and Govt
The Deputy Member of theEducation Committee in Parliament, Dr Clement Apaak,has called on the government to convene a national assembly to address the implementation challenges that have plaguedthe Free High School Act (FSHS).
His call follows a recent IMF report prior to the country's $3 billion bailout, whichhighlighted the poor implementation and goals of the FSHS policy. "Ghana spends almost 4% of its GDP on education and has good results in terms of schools but poor learning outcomes. The flagship program Free Senior High School (SHS), which covers fees comprehensive secondary school, has helped to boost enrollment but is very targeted," the IMF said. According to the IMF, "Possible improvements in education spending include strengthening primary education infrastructure, better teacher training, and a stronger performance-based financing system."
However, in a statement by the vice-chairman of the Education Committee in Parliament, he urged the government to respond quickly to the IMF's concerns.
Dr. Apaak further stated that the position of IMF and FSHS shows that John Dramani Mahama is right. He said that the former president never missed an opportunity to call on Akufo-Addo to initiate the National Council of Ministersto review policies for improvement.
"John Dramani Mahama, as well as scholars like ProfessorAddae Mensah, Ernest Ayittey, Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, Oduro and the education sector CSOs including EduWatch IFEST, all openly admit that if politics, this born from our laws, good or bad.created by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government. "Therefore, if the IMF has come to the same conclusion in calling for a better focus, I hope that the government will not delay any more in convening a national assembly to conduct a comprehensive policy review that is to address the challenges of implementation ..I believe that research. will produce useful suggestions on how to make it sustainable, effective, efficient and maximize its benefits for the welfare of our children in Ghana," Dr Apaak said.
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