The Institute for Education Studies (IFEST) has called for a review of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, proposing that parents share part of the cost to ensure the programme’s sustainability and effectiveness.
This recommendation comes after the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) appealed to the Ministry of Education to release overdue funds critical to the smooth operation of SHSs as they prepare to reopen for the 2025 academic year.
In a communiqué signed by CHASS National Secretary Primus Baro, the group referenced previous correspondences on September 20, 2024, and August 12, 2024, as well as assurances from the Minister of Education during a Zoom meeting on December 18, 2024, none of which have been implemented.
CHASS highlighted that unpaid arrears for perishable items, utility bills, and other essentials continue to hinder the functioning of schools.
reopening schools as scheduled on January 3, 2025, would be challenging, impacting quality education, infrastructure maintenance, and student welfare.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Monday, Patrick Danquah, Deputy Director of IFEST, reiterated the importance of reassessing the Free SHS policy to address these challenges effectively.
“Free SHS needs to be reviewed so that they can relook at the element of taking part of the cost and allowing the parents who were handling the costs better to continue to handle it the way they did,” Danquah stated.
source : Citinews
