Recent projections indicate that approximately ninety percent of private schools have collapsed due to the introduction of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy. Over the past eight years, this policy has had a profound impact, resulting in the loss of jobs for thousands of teachers and auxiliary staff employed by private institutions.
Prof. Richard Kofi Asiedu, owner of St. Andrews Senior High School, discussed this issue on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra. Prof. Asiedu criticized the FSHS policy for its lack of consultation with key stakeholders, including private school proprietors. He argued that the policy was implemented without adequate input from those affected, leading to significant challenges for private schools.
He noted that private schools have historically filled the gap for parents who prefer not to send their children to public schools, providing essential educational opportunities and career development. Prof. Asiedu believes that incorporating private schools into the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto could help address some of the policy’s shortcomings, such as issues related to infrastructure, feeding, funding, and overall national policy direction.
He emphasized that the FSHS program, as a national policy, should have included financial support for private schools to maintain the diversity of educational choices available to parents. The lack of adequate support has impacted the quality of teaching and learning in these institutions.
In response to the concerns about the FSHS policy, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo defended his government’s flagship initiative at the Annual Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Conference in Kumasi. He addressed criticisms suggesting that the policy has led to a decline in educational standards.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the benefits of the Free SHS policy, noting that it has significantly increased school enrollments and provided access to education for many underprivileged students who would otherwise be excluded due to financial constraints. “The number of students with access to secondary education has doubled since the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy,” he stated.
In response to claims that the policy produces lower-quality students, President Akufo-Addo advised parents who can afford private education to consider sending their children to fee-paying institutions. He emphasized that public schools, funded by taxpayers, are designed to offer opportunities to those who cannot afford tuition.
Story by: Alexander Kukah
