Ho Municipal Education Office proposes amendments to Free SHS policy

The Ho Municipal Directorate of the Ghana Education Service has proposed significant amendments to the current Free Senior High School (SHS) policy to enhance academic focus and promote a culture of scholarship among students.

This proposal came during a recent stakeholder engagement aimed at improving educational outcomes within the municipality.

The Directorate suggested transforming the existing Free SHS policy into a scholarship-based program.

Under this proposed amendment, free SHS education would be granted only to students who achieve aggregate scores between 6 and 25 in their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The rationale behind this proposal is to motivate students to strive for higher academic performance and foster a culture of excellence in education.

According to the Directorate, this shift would not only incentivize students to work harder but also encourage parents to actively support and prepare their children to meet the scholarship criteria.

By making the scholarship contingent on academic performance, the Directorate hopes to combat the complacency observed among some students at the basic education level, where there is an assumption of automatic admission into senior high schools regardless of their academic achievements.

This complacency, they argue, has led to a decline in academic diligence and preparedness.

The urgency of this proposal is underscored by the alarming statistics from 2023, where only three BECE candidates from the Ho Municipality achieved an aggregate score of 6.

This statistic highlights the need for a more rigorous and focused approach to education at the foundational level in the municipality.

The Directorate also emphasized the crucial role of parents in their children’s academic success, urging them to become more involved in their wards’ educational activities.

Additionally, the stakeholder engagement brought to light concerns about minors engaging in economic activities, such as riding auto rickshaws (known locally as ‘Keke’), instead of participating in extracurricular activities after school.

The Directorate announced several initiatives designed to address this issue and improve the overall educational environment.

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One of the proposed solutions includes streamlining or abolishing extra classes in schools, which have been deemed ineffective in some cases.

The Directorate also plans to reassign ineffective supervisors, both internal and external, to ensure better oversight and support for students.

Furthermore, there will be regular training for new and existing headteachers to enhance their technical skills and professional capabilities, ensuring they can provide the best possible leadership and guidance in their schools.

These proposed amendments and initiatives reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges faced by the educational system in the Ho Municipality.

By shifting to a scholarship-based model, the Directorate aims to create a more competitive and excellence-driven academic environment.

This change is expected to not only improve student performance but also to instill a greater sense of responsibility and involvement among parents and educators alike.

The proposed amendments to the Free SHS policy represent a proactive step towards elevating the standards of education in the Ho Municipality.

By aligning incentives with academic achievement and addressing the underlying issues that hinder student performance, the Directorate hopes to create a more effective and inspiring educational system that benefits all stakeholders.

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