“The initiative is about building a nation where every child has access to education, which is the foundation for national progress”
The University Lecturers for Free SHS, Ghana, have called on the government to ensure consistent funding to sustain the quality and accessibility of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program.
They praised the initiative as a bold and transformative policy that guarantees equal educational opportunities for all Ghanaian children.
“Free Senior High School (Free SHS), is not merely the ploy of a desperate politician but too great an idea for a visionless leader to be put in charge of it,” they declared.
At a press conference on November 25, 2024, at the University of Cape Coast School of Business, the Group’s Convenor, Professor Isaac Boadi, described Free SHS as a visionary idea essential for shaping Ghana’s future, emphasizing that it requires capable leadership and long-term commitment to succeed.
Professor Boadi, Dean of the Faculty of Finance and Accounting at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), noted that the Free SHS initiative is more than just a political move – it is a vital step towards achieving sustainable national development.
According to him, this policy ensures that every Ghanaian child, regardless of their background, has equal access to education. This, in turn, represents a long-term investment in Ghana’s human capital, addressing the nation’s skills gap and fostering a well-educated population ¹.
He commended the government for making secondary education accessible to all, highlighting Free SHS’s significant contributions to inclusive and equitable education. They noted that the policy has bridged the education gap between the privileged and underprivileged, allowing low-income students to access quality education.
Professor Boadi also stressed that Free SHS is not just a promise, but a forward-looking policy empowering future generations. It’s about building a nation where every child has access to education, the foundation for national progress
“Free SHS is not a whimsical promise made by a desperate politician; it is a forward-looking policy that empowers the future generation. It is about building a nation where every child has access to education, which is the foundation for national progress,” he noted.
The lecturers stressed the importance of sustained investment in teacher training and welfare. They urged the government to prioritize the recruitment, training, and fair remuneration of teachers to maintain high educational standards.
The Group recommended the establishment of robust monitoring systems through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to assess the program’s impact, ensure accountability, and address challenges effectively.
The Group appealed to all stakeholders—parents, educators, policymakers, and civil society—to collaborate in sustaining and enhancing the Free SHS program, emphasizing that it is not just a policy but a vital investment in Ghana’s future.
Story: Janet Ayethe
