Allow those who can bear the expenses pay for Free SHS – Otumfuo to govt

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has called  for an assessment of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, recommending that families who are financially capable should contribute, allocating government resources to support students in genuine need.

During a courtesy visit by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II suggested a blended support approach, in line with the past practices where bursaries were awarded to needy but deserving students, while those who were financially capable paid their way.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said that “Those who can who can bear the expense, let’s have a second look at the policy. If someone can bear the expense, let’s give them the option to pay. In the past, once you passed, the financial aid would look for students with academic potential but financial hardship and support them with scholarship, and those who could bear the expense to pay did so.”

While recognizing the advantages of Free SHS, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed the importance of having a national dialogue to deal with the challenges facing the program and make sure it sustains.

“Although this Free SHS we’re talking about have been implemented, but in a situation where students often comes home due to food shortage means that the it is not fit for purpose.”

He also highlighted issue about infrastructure and logistical challenges impacting negatively in senior high schools, including congested student housing, inefficient science and ICT facilities, food shortages, and limited school bus capacity.

“Our dormitories are packed beyond capacity and inefficient science and ICT facilities. Sometimes PTA makes donations to support. The limited school bus capacity and the shortage of food should all be reviewed. We have to carry it out well so that students will stay in school and have enough to eat.”

The Free SHS policy, initiated in 2017, intended get rid of financial barriers to secondary education.