Rashid Isah, Estate Manager at the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), has called for a change in the perception that attending a particular Senior High School (SHS) is the key to becoming successful in Ghanaian society.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s morning show discussion, Mr. Isah said the school a person attends should not determine their ability to become a prominent or successful person in society.
He cited former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who attended Kyebi Government Secondary School, and former President John Dramani Mahama, who attended Ghana Secondary School in Tamale, as examples of prominent Ghanaians who did not necessarily attend schools considered among the country’s most prestigious institutions.
According to him, the emphasis should be placed on providing quality education, qualified teachers, adequate infrastructure and equal opportunities for students across the country rather than placing excessive importance on the names or categories of schools.
Mr. Isah also raised concerns about the pressure the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy has placed on some schools, particularly as increasing enrolment has put existing infrastructure and facilities under strain.
He noted that some schools are struggling to accommodate growing numbers of students, resulting in facilities being converted for other purposes.
“Some of them are old glories. Sometimes, you go to some schools and you see that the dining hall has been converted into a dormitory, while another facility is being used as a classroom,” he explained.
He said the situation is partly influenced by the strong preference of parents and students for certain well-known schools, particularly Presbyterian institutions and other Category A schools.
Mr. Isah argued that Ghana needs proper research and planning to ensure that the expansion of secondary education is accompanied by adequate infrastructure and facilities.
He also called for improvements to the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), saying the system must be managed in a transparent and disciplined manner.
According to him, the self-placement component gives students an opportunity to select schools with available vacancies, but head teachers must not be allowed to bypass the official placement process.
He said strict adherence to the CSSPS could help reduce corruption and indiscipline within the school placement system.
Mr. Isah further raised concerns about the management of school feeding allocations, particularly where the number of students allocated to a school may differ from the actual number enrolled.
He stressed the need for effective monitoring to ensure that government resources allocated to schools correspond with the actual student population and are used for their intended purpose.
Despite the challenges, he acknowledged the positive impact of Free SHS, saying the policy has significantly expanded access to secondary education and enabled more young people to continue their education without the financial burden associated with school fees.
He said the priority should now be to strengthen the policy through improved infrastructure, effective management and greater discipline across the secondary education sector.
Mr. Isah also expressed confidence in Education Minister-designate Hon. Andrew Egyapa Mercer, saying he believes he has the capacity to help improve the country’s education system and secure a better future for Ghana’s youth.
He urged Ghanaians to move away from judging students based on the schools they attend and instead focus on developing an education system that gives every child the opportunity to realise their potential.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah — Ahotoronline,Accra.