Cancel free SHS policy implementation and resort to Effective scholarship scheme – Educationist

 

The Free Senior High School policy that seeks to ensure school-going children in the second cycle institutions enjoys free education has received a series of backlash from a section of Ghanaians after its implementation by the Akufo Addo-led NPP administration as a result of what they termed as poor implementation of the policy.

The CEO of Educate Africa Institute, an Education Think Tank, Mr. William Boadi has suggested the free Senior High School policy implementation be cancelled for an effective scholarships scheme to be considered for the poor but needy students which according to him will ensure quality education in the country.

Mr. William Boadi speaking in an interview on the wake of the circulated videos of some GHANASCO students who were made to sleep in the washroom with Kwaku Mensah Abrampa on High Radio Breakfast Show dubbed High Morning Breeze indicated that when the government considers implementing effective scholarships for the poor but needy students instead of free SHS, it will lessen the pressure on the country’s economy indicating that the government will be able to virtually fund the scholarship scheme to make sure we enjoy quality education as a country.

He noted that the Finance Minister in 2018 stated that the free SHS policy shouldn’t be wholesale which according to Mr. Williams Boadi means those who can afford to pay the fees of their wards must be made to do so with the poor and needy ones being subsidized with scholarships.

He stressed that issues surrounding the free Senior High School imply the government’s inability to run the policy implementation as expected due to a lack of facilities, equipment, and the needed materials for adequate teaching and learning.

Mr. William Boadi charged the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education to be up and doing in ensuring issues related to education are up to the task indicating that government must surrender on the Free SHS policy if its quality can’t be guaranteed and give way for the rich ones to pay for their wards fees and the needy ones be sponsored with a scholarship scheme because quality education must be a priority of the Free SHS policy and that can’t be achieved with students sleeping in washrooms while others keep complaining of the poor nature of foods served in the various schools.

He stressed that the country has no better future in the education system with how things are managed in the various schools.

He advised the citizenry to be discerning enough not to be deceived by these politicians with sweet words and do otherwise when they are given the mandate.

 

Kwaku Mensah Abrampa