Ghanaians and millions of beneficiaries of the free Senior High School (SHS) education policy have been cautioned against handing over the pro-poor initiative to the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former president, John Dramani Mahama.
Spokesperson for the Bawumia Campaign Team, Dennis Miracles Aboagye sounded the alarm bells over the potential collapse of the landmark policy should the NDC flagbearer be given the opportunity to govern the country again.
The free SHS policy, he stressed, can only be sustained and improved under the Presidency of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who fully understands and believes strongly in the policy.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra yesterday Mr. Aboagye highlighted former president Mahama’s historical opposition to the free SHS policy, emphasising that the NDC flagbearer had vehemently criticised and doubted the feasibility of the initiative since its inception.
He reiterated that Mr. Mahama’s lack of belief in the pro-poor initiative indicated a looming collapse of the programme if he were to be elected as president.
This, according to him, is amply evident in the former President’s “shameless” attack on the policy as well as continuous denigration of hardworking SHS students and their teachers.
“It’s quite evident that the recent barrage of attacks on the Free SHS Policy and its beneficiaries, the Akufo-Addo graduates, by the NDC’s perennial flagbearer, is steeped in nothing but sheer envy, bitterness, and hatred towards these promising young Ghanaians.
“Back in the day when the NPP’s flagbearer was championing the cause for free SHS, the NDC was staunchly opposed to it, casting doubts on its feasibility and effectiveness. They even went as far as launching about 40 TV ads against the Free SHS policy and labelled it as ‘all lie be lie’ promise,” Mr. Aboagye recounted.
Successful implementation
The spokesperson for the Bawumia Campaign Team noted that the successful implementation of the Free SHS policy in 2017 has brought about monumental changes and advancements in the country’s secondary education system.
“The significance of the Free SHS policy cannot be downplayed. It has not only opened doors of opportunity for countless young Ghanaians but has also levelled the playing field, allowing every child to dream big and achieve their fullest potential.
“It’s a testament to the government’s commitment to investing in the future of our nation and ensuring that no child is left behind. The Free SHS policy has significantly increased access to secondary education for Ghanaian students, particularly those from low-income families.
“By removing financial barriers, more students have been able to enrol and complete their secondary education, thereby reducing the dropout rate and improving overall educational attainment levels.
“The government has since the implementation of Free SHS made efforts to address the challenges in our secondary education sector that have been exposed by the implementation of the policy such as the inadequate distribution of Infrastructure in senior high schools in the country.
“Through this policy, the government has significantly expanded infrastructure in secondary institutions nationwide, ensuring that every Ghanaian child has access to quality education, regardless of their socio economic background or location.
“Today, near 80% of Senior High schools have been provided with the needed infrastructure and have their enrollment numbers doubled. This includes the construction of new classrooms, dormitories, libraries, laboratories, and other facilities to accommodate the increased student population and enhance the learning environment,” Team Bawumia spokesperson pointed out.
Remarkable performance
Mr. Aboagye noted that since the implementation of the Free SHS policy, there has been a noticeable improvement in academic performance among students.
“With access to quality education and support from teachers, many students have excelled academically, achieving high scores in examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
“Students who benefited from the government’s Free SHS policy are excelling in their post-secondary education in reputable International Universities whereas other products are receiving top sub-regional awards and honours,” he added.
Mahama threatened
According to Mr. Aboagye, the success of Free SHS policy is a threat to the NDC and its perennial flag-bearer who believes Ghanaians have short memories.
“Ghanaians do not have short memories as he has always assumed. Ghanaians remember how students were sacked from class due to the inability of their parents to pay their fees.
“Ghanaians remember how students were chased out of examination centres due to fees owed the schools. Ghanaians remember how students’ results were blocked because they owed schools before completing,” Mr. Aboagye added.
Unwavering commitment
Mr. Aboagye reiterated government’s unwavering commitment to investing in the future of the nation through the Free SHS policy, which has significantly increased access to secondary education, particularly for students from low-income families.
He commended the government’s proactive approach to tackling longstanding challenges within the educational sector, particularly highlighting the pivotal role of the free SHS policy in addressing infrastructure deficits.
Mr. Aboagye pointed out significant expansion of infrastructure in high schools across the nation, which has contributed to ensuring accessibility to quality education for every Ghanaian child.
“Today, nearly 80% of Senior High schools have been provided with the needed infrastructure, with enrolment numbers doubled.
“This includes the construction of new classrooms, dormitories, libraries, laboratories, and other facilities to accommodate the increased student population and enhance the learning environment,” Mr. Aboagye indicated.
