The Executive Director of Child Rights International (CRI), Mr Bright Appiah, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for his unwavering commitment to Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) programme.
He described the President’s stance as a crucial step in ensuring equal access to quality education for all Ghanaian children.
In a statement signed by Mr Appiah, CRI strongly opposed suggestions from some stakeholders that boarding students should start paying for their accommodation and feeding.
He cautioned that any such move would undermine the core objective of the Free SHS policy, which is to remove financial barriers to secondary education.
According to him, shifting costs onto parents would go against the very foundation of the programme and could lead to greater inequalities in the education system.
“Any attempt to shift financial responsibilities onto parents defeats the very essence of the Free SHS policy. This initiative was designed to promote inclusivity, and altering its structure could deepen inequalities,” Mr Appiah stated.
During his State of the Nation Address on February 27, President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to strengthening Free SHS rather than making changes that could limit its reach.
He made it clear that his government had no plans to scrap the programme but would rather focus on addressing its challenges to make it more effective.
“Mr Speaker, let me be clear—I, John Dramani Mahama, will not cancel the Free SHS programme. Instead, I will strengthen it by addressing its implementation challenges,” the President declared.
His assurance was aimed at calming concerns raised by parents, students, and education advocates over possible reforms that might alter the policy’s original structure.
CRI has been vocal in defending Free SHS, warning that any major changes could weaken its impact and exclude children from low-income families.
The organisation insists that the policy must remain intact to serve its purpose of making secondary education accessible to all, regardless of financial status.
Mr Appiah urged the government to resist pressure from groups pushing for adjustments that could place additional financial burdens on parents.
He stressed that the integrity of Free SHS must be preserved to ensure that every child in Ghana has an equal opportunity to succeed.
“Preserving the integrity of the Free SHS programme is essential. We must not allow policies that could erode its impact and create further disparities in education,” he emphasized.
“As discussions around the future of Free SHS continue, CRI remains firm in its advocacy, determined to ensure that the programme stays true to its mission,” he said
According to him, the organisation believes that Ghana’s education system should focus on expansion and improvement rather than policies that could bring back financial obstacles for students.
President Mahama’s commitment to Free SHS has been welcomed by many, especially parents who rely on the programme to secure their children’s education.
Mr Appiah welcomed President Mahama’s ‘Teacher Dabrɛ’ Initiative to boost education and also to enhance teacher welfare and improve education quality nationwide.
“President announced that no new school would be built without teachers’ accommodation attached, ensuring that educators have better living conditions, particularly in underserved areas, and this is awesome, “
“These measures will not only motivate teachers but also ensure that students, regardless of location, have access to quality education,” he said
BY AGNES OPOKU SARPONG
