Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has demanded that Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) policy be reviewed and that families who can afford it contribute so that government funds can be used to help kids who truly need them.
Speaking during a courtesy call by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, Otumfuo suggested a mixed-support system that would be identical to previous procedures in which bursaries were given to worthy but poor students while those who could afford it covered their own expenses.
“Those who can afford to pay, let’s have a second look at the policy. If someone can afford it, let’s allow them to pay.
“In the old times, when you passed, the bursary would look for good but needy students and award them scholarships, and those who could afford to pay did so.”
While acknowledging the benefits of Free SHS, Otumfuo stressed the need for a national dialogue to address the program’s challenges and ensure its sustainability.
“This Free SHS we are talking about, although we have implemented it, if we have a dialogue and find out that it will result in students coming home every now and then because there is no food, then it is not fit for purpose.”
He also raised concerns about infrastructure and logistical challenges affecting senior high schools, including overcrowded dormitories, lack of science and ICT laboratories, food shortages, and inadequate school buses.
“Our dormitories are overcrowded and lack science and ICT labs. Sometimes PTA makes contributions to support. The lack of school buses and the shortage of food should all be looked at. Let us implement it well so that students will stay in school and have enough to eat.”
The goal of the 2017 Free SHS policy was to eliminate financial obstacles to secondary education. Even while enrollment has gone up, questions concerning the sustainability of funding and the caliber of education still exist.
