Child Rights International (CRI) has raised alarms over proposals suggesting parents should bear additional costs related to the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, including expenses for food and accommodation.
The organisation argues that such measures undermine the policy’s fundamental principles of equity, inclusivity, and universal access to secondary education.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mr Bright Appiah, CRI emphasised that the Free SHS policy was designed to eliminate financial barriers to education, ensuring that all children would have equal opportunities.
Requiring parents to shoulder feeding and accommodation costs, according to him, introduces inequalities and contradicts the policy’s original intent.
He underscored that while logistical challenges in implementing Free SHS persist, it is the responsibility of the government and implementing authorities to resolve these issues, not parents.
Mr Appiah called for direct engagement between stakeholders and the government to address any operational or systemic flaws, cautioning that imposing additional financial burdens on families, many already facing economic hardship, would not serve the best interests of the child.
Regarding recent discussions about potential changes to the Free SHS framework, he clarified that as of January 11, 2025, no official directive has been issued mandating parental contributions.
He stressed the importance of transparent communication from the government on any proposed modifications to the policy, warning that altering its framework without proper review or consultation could undermine its objectives and harm children’s welfare.
Highlighting Ghana’s commitment to international child rights standards, including the Children’s Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, he reiterated that policies affecting children must prioritise their well-being.
Mr Appiah called on stakeholders to refrain from actions that could deprive students of essential needs like food and accommodation, reaffirming that every child has a right to education without impediments.
“As stakeholders we have the mandate to collaborate and find solutions that would protect and enhance the Free SHS policy to secure a brighter future for Ghanaian children and the nation as a whole,” he said.
Mr Appiah reaffirmed CRI’s dedication to safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring that educational policies do not compromise access to education.
BY AGNES
OPOKU SARPONG
