Professor Joshua Alabi, Campaign Manager for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama, has shed light on the origins and proposed improvements to Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. He emphasized that the concept of Free SHS was enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, challenging the notion that it was initiated by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Alabi clarified that the NDC had laid the foundation for Free SHS before President Akufo-Addo’s administration, incorporating input from various stakeholders such as business groups, market women, and the Hairdressers Association. Under President Mahama, the Progressive Free SHS policy began with efforts to expand infrastructure. The E-Block project was a significant part of this initiative, aimed at building more schools to handle the increased demand for secondary education. This plan was halted after the NDC lost the 2016 elections.
“Free SHS is constitutionally mandated,” Alabi said. He noted that while the NPP implemented the program swiftly, it faced many challenges due to insufficient planning. This, he explained, led to issues such as the double-track system and overcrowded classrooms. Alabi emphasized that the NDC’s plans for the Free SHS program are not about canceling it but rather improving it. The focus would be on completing E-Block projects and extending Free SHS to private schools to alleviate pressure on public institutions.
To further enhance the program, Alabi stated that the NDC would decentralize the procurement of school feeding grants, allowing headmasters and bursars to purchase food from local markets. “This will stimulate local economies while ensuring students receive nutritious meals,” he added. The NDC also aims to address resource shortages, including the availability of textbooks, to boost learning outcomes.
“When we create enough space, eliminate the double-track system, and ensure teachers are not overworked, students will benefit from higher-quality education,” Alabi stressed. He concluded by urging Ghanaians to disregard what he described as misleading claims by the NPP and to support Mahama in the December 7 election. He promised that the NDC would deliver a refined Free SHS policy focused on accessibility, quality, and effective education, complete with adequate resources and nutritious meals for students.
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This News Was Shared By Modern Ghana Web On Friday 8th November 2024
