Revamp The Basic Schools and Substitute The Free SHS With Scholarship Scheme – William Boadi,
The Educate Africa Institute (EAI), an education think tank alliance, is contending for the intermission of the free senior high school policy implementation if it does not have the financial stability to cushion and sustain its execution.
Honestly, the Free SHS has improved enrolment and secondary schools have risen from 55.4% in 2017 to 62% in 2020 and grateful for the Free SHS policy.
However, the policy lacks quality and equity in its nature and also there are no proper materials to support teaching and learning. Placement has become unkind to many candidates.
Those with fat brown envelopes mostly get their choices.
Educate Africa Institute believes the government should implement a cogent scholarship scheme to cater to the needy and allow the rich to pay for the meantime.
It will decrease the financial burden on the government and rescue the basic schools (early childhood, primary, and JHS.
Mind you, basic education is the foundation and bedrock of our education system as well as teaching and learning, but budgetary allocation to the sector has declined since the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy.
And this is very dangerous to the fortunes of this and next generation. Extracurricular activities like music and dance, field trips, sporting activities, among others. are put on hold because the government has failed to release capitation grants for more than terms. School feeding has come to a halt and it is disturbing.
Besides, many parents are willing to pay but the government is pretending as if everything is in order. Meanwhile, students are indirectly eating unreasonable foods which could affect their lifespan. Some are developing abdomen ulcers and all that.
Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta, the current Finance Minister stated way back in 2018 that the free SHS program should not be implemented in its wholeness, because he knew that he and his government are not financially disciplined to make it work properly.
We know that Ghana is rich but her political parties are suffocating and robbing the wealth anyhow. They can do it but their selfishness would not allow them. Our concern has to do with the quality and quantity. These students must complete and be able to create their world or meet the job market standards but there is no assurance. Head teachers are afraid to talk about the situation.
According to GNAT
“Teachers have to mark homework for students numbering about 70 to 80 daily at the basic level,” and he lamented that the 15 percent budget allocations to basic schools are woefully inadequate.
The confronting issues encircling the Free Senior High School are the ineptitude to carry out the policy as planned due to a lack of facilities, and a lack of teaching and learning.
EAI dares the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education to ensure that educational problems are under acceptable supervision.
The policy was rushed in its implementation so it is not serving its purpose and the foundation of the school system in Ghana is also collapsing, why?
It is not too late. Ghana first.
Signed
William Boadi
Executive Director of Educate Africa Institute (EAI)
+233541935106.
EAI: Promoting Quality Education and Ensuring Social Justice.
