The Member of Parliament for Bodi Constituency in the Western North Region, Sampson Ahi, has affirmed his support for the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, describing it as a positive intervention that must be strengthened rather than discarded.
According to him, a future National Democratic Congress administration would improve the policy to ensure that children from financially challenged homes continue to access secondary education without burdening their parents.
Mr. Ahi, however, criticized what he described as the “wholesale promotion” system introduced under the New Patriotic Party government led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He argued that the automatic promotion of students — regardless of academic performance — weakens discipline and reduces students’ commitment to learning.
Under this system, students are promoted to the next class whether they pass their exams or not, with little consequence for poor academic performance.
Mr. Ahi maintained that when students know they cannot be repeated regardless of their results, many will not take their studies seriously. In contrast, he believes students who understand that poor performance could lead to repetition or dismissal are more likely to develop a responsible academic attitude.
He therefore called for a review of the promotion system, suggesting that advancement should be strictly based on merit and performance.
According to him, restoring academic accountability at the Senior High School level would not only improve standards but also instill discipline and seriousness among students.
While defending Free SHS as a life-changing policy for thousands of Ghanaian families, Mr. Ahi stressed that reforms are necessary to protect its quality and long-term credibility.
“Free education must not mean lowering standards,” he emphasized, insisting that academic excellence and access to education must go hand in hand.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku