Former Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Charles Aheto-Tsegah, has expressed dismay over the government’s stance against reviewing the free Senior High School (SHS) policy. During an interview on the Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Aheto-Tsegah highlighted the need for a review of the Free SHS policy, stating that it currently requires reevaluation for better outcomes.
Aheto-Tsegah criticized the government’s approach, stating, “The government is playing the ostrich and it thinks that it is delivering spectacular results, but whatever achievement that it had made they could be better if they allowed themselves to give a proper review of how the system is going.” He further lamented the lack of dialogue and interaction concerning the delivery of education, asserting that the government seems reluctant to engage in a comprehensive review of the system’s functioning.
Additionally, Aheto-Tsegah pointed out that many members and supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are solely focused on the free enrollment aspect of the SHS policy, disregarding its potential negative impacts on the educational system. In response, Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, January 9th, 2024, dismissed calls for a review of the free SHS policy.
Dr. Adutwum emphasized that while specific areas could be improved, a complete overhaul of the policy is currently unnecessary. He clarified, “The policy in its current form does not entail a review but a targeted improvement rather.”
The contrasting views between Aheto-Tsegah and Dr. Adutwum underscore a growing debate over the necessity of reviewing the free SHS policy. Aheto-Tsegah’s concerns highlight the importance of reevaluating the policy’s implementation, while Dr. Adutwum maintains that the policy requires only targeted enhancements rather than a comprehensive review.