Education General News News Politics

Review is what the free SHS currently needs-fmr. GES boss to Education Minister.

Charles Aheto-Tsegah, a former Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), has expressed dismay at the government’s reluctance to review the Free SHS policy.

He views the government’s position as evading critical examination of Ghana’s educational system, asserting that a comprehensive review could address the challenges facing the initiative.

John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has announced his intention to conduct a comprehensive review of the Free Senior High School Policy (Free SHS) within the first 100 days of taking office, should he be elected in the 2024 general elections.

Mr. Mahama emphasized the critical role of a solid basic education foundation. He outlined his plan to assemble a panel of educational experts to formulate an improved framework for implementing the Free SHS policy, which has been a cornerstone of Ghana’s education system.

He expressed his belief that the review should include a broad spectrum of stakeholders

But the education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum in an interview with the media on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, rejected calls for the review of the Free SHS policy and said the policy needs improvements in specific areas rather than a complete review.

He stated that the policy, in its current form, does not necessitate a review but rather targeted improvements.

In response to the education minister’s comment, the former Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Mr. Charles Aheto-Tsegah said a review is what the policy currently needs.

Mr. Tsegah further bemoaned the posture of the government and its supporters whenever calls for the policy’s review are made.