Dr.Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister for Education has argued that John Mahama and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are naïve about how the Akufo Addo administration successfully implemented the Free Senior High School policy.
He mentioned that it quiet odd of the former President who heavily criticized the FREE SHS policy in 2016, to suggest a review for what has been a success.
He noted in parliament today that, the supposed review of the policy as promised by the flagbearer has no specific indication of what they intend to add or correct. He mocked that under the NDC’s failure even with the implementation of their ‘limited’ progressive free education, was heavily indebted and poorly coordinated.
“In 2016, many ridiculed the capacity to implement the program citing the unavailability of funds, inadequate classrooms, and other school structures to support the implementation. Seeing how successful the implementation has been for such an important policy,…our opponents have taken a U-turn promising a review of the program when they win 2020 elections except that they have failed to specifically say what aspect they review and to what end and purpose.
“It is instructive to note that under the progressive Free SHS program, which they were in government, they left in arrears of over GHC 30 million in respect of the 2015/16 academic year where the program started with day students only.”
Dr. Opoku Prempeh told the house that the government is working at all angles to enhance the quality of education whiles improving access for every Ghanaian child, just as it promised in its 2016 manifesto.
“We have resolved to pursue bold and transformative measures to address fundamental challenges that undermine education, including in particular, access, equity, and quality of education.”