Free SHS Programme Reviews vs. GES: Director General Refutes Claims
The Director General of the Ghana Education Service has come out with a letter to discredit on the news about the free SHS programme being reviewed. He indicated he was only making analysis on the free SHS programme. This does not mean the programme is tabled for reviews.
Professor Opoku Amankwah revealed that the headlines to the stories he has found so far on the internet is misleading and do not carry the true reflection of the story. This story emanated from interview he granted with Raymond Aquach on Upfront about the free SHS programme.
In the letter released by the Director General, Professor Opoku Amankwah outlined that, GES is a government agency and does not formalize any government policies. Policies are made by the government and the GES goes ahead to see to their implementations and the free SHS is of no exception.
He also captured an excerpt of the President’s speech at UHAS assuring students, parents and the general public of will not be affected.
Comments from commentators on the letter released
Some commentators in the comment section equated this release to the time when the finance minister and key individuals within government were saying the country’s economy is strong and won’t go to the IMF. Only to later realise the President has given a phone call to IMF indicating his intention for them to support the country with balance of payment deficit. They still believe that the free SHS programme will be reviewed.
Though, this letter refutes the claims that the free SHS programme will be reviewed but commentators see no truth in it. What do you also make of the letter released by the Director General? Let us know in the comment section
Earlier report on the review of the programme.
The Director of Ghana Education Service, Professor Opoku Amankwah has hinted on the sector’s and government’s decision to reviewing the free SHS programme
We Are Reviewing Free SHS to Know How Much Parents Have to Pay
The free SHS programme which was enrolled by the government in the year 2017 is currently being reviewed to know how much parents have to pay. Since the implementation of the flagship programme, many have chastised the government especially the opposition party fro absorbing all the cost involved and having also opened the floodgate for everyone to enter into the second cycle.
Despite these agitations and backlashes from the public, the government still implemented the programme and has so far turned out over 1.5 million students. This considered being 50% of the number of students turned out in previous years and the government should be commended for such.
The programme started by doing away with the cap systems which earlier prevented many students from accessing SHS education. Previously pupils who obtain aggregates above 30 were not considered but the free SHS made it possible for all students to enrol.
Free SHS is currently being reviewed to determine how much parents should pay
This raised eyebrows and others were of the view that, the standard chalked in the second cycle will fall as a result many dragged the government to the cleaners. Other also called for the review of the programme so that parents who have the affordability could pay but this calls were turned down.
However, the government, looking at the conditions and the global economic impact from the covid-19 and war between Ukraine and Russian have necessitated the need to revise the programme.
With this, the Director General of the Ghana Education service has stated that work is on-going to determine how much parents be made to pay. What would mean is that government would not have to absorb all the cost that comes with the running of the free SHS programme.
Please share your thoughts on this in the comment section. Do you think it is in the right direction for the government to revising the free SHS programme? If your response is either YES or NO, let us know your reasons.
Challenges faced by the programme so far
Feeding challenges
Infrastructural deficits
Despite all these, government is making effort to turn around these into opportunities so everyone could benefit from second cycle education.
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[Earlier report SOURCED from: TVXYZ ]
