Free SHS students living in ‘death traps’ – GES Director

The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Professor Akwasi Opoku-Amankwah has joined a few government officials to accept limitations in the implementation of the, ‘free SHS’ policy.

The professor who made the admission on Kumasi-based Hello Fm in an interview on Tuesday said he confronted the appalling conditions of some of free SHS beneficiaries during one of his outreach visits.

According to him, the appalling facility got to his notice during an inspection exercise carried by his office.

“A dormitory by some school we visited was in a very poor state, as some will call it a death trap. It is really bad and dangerous for our children”. Professor Opoku-Amankwah disclosed.

Responding to critics who argue that, head teachers are being oppressed by government for telling the truth about the policy he refused to accept that but advised that head teachers who have challenges must instead direct their complaints to appropriate authorities.

In the wake of his interview, the professor claimed to rush to the press by some of the head teachers are not helping the government in any way.

Earlier this month, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Leader of government business in parliament said beneficiaries ‘free SHS’ policy have not been well catered for as planned.

Dr Kwame Amoako Tuffour, a founding member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has also accepted the shortcomings of the policy. In an interview, he made an emotional statement by saying, “I wept once when I visited ‘Free SHS’ students”.

However, the government has assured the success and sustainability of the policy promising to address the teething challenges.