Free SHS: Akufo-Addo advises parents to opt for private schools if they can afford

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has vigorously defended his government’s flagship Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy amidst growing concerns about its impact on education quality. Speaking at the Annual Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Conference in Kumasi on Monday, the President addressed critiques that the initiative is allegedly leading to a decline in academic standards.

President Akufo-Addo countered these criticisms by highlighting the benefits the Free SHS policy has brought to underprivileged students across the country. He emphasized that the program has significantly increased school enrollments and provided access to education for many who would otherwise have been excluded due to financial constraints.

“The numbers of people who have access to secondary education have doubled since the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy,” President Akufo-Addo stated. He argued that the policy’s purpose is to ensure that every Ghanaian child, regardless of their economic background, has the opportunity to pursue secondary education.

In response to critics who claim the policy is producing low-quality students, the President advised parents who can afford private education to consider enrolling their children in fee-paying institutions. “People who can afford to pay fees for the education of their ward should send them to fee-paying private schools,” he remarked, adding that public schools, funded by taxpayers, are meant to provide opportunities for those unable to afford tuition.

The Free SHS policy, which was launched in 2017, has been a cornerstone of Akufo-Addo’s administration, providing tuition-free education to hundreds of thousands of Ghanaian students. However, it has also faced opposition from those who argue that the influx of students has strained resources and led to declining educational standards.

Despite the criticism, President Akufo-Addo reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring equal educational opportunities for all, particularly the underprivileged in society. He maintained that the policy is essential for fostering inclusivity and promoting national development.

The Ghana Bar Association’s annual conference, which brought together legal practitioners from across the country, served as a platform for the President to affirm his stance on one of his government’s most significant social interventions.

starfm