Otumfuo to Education Minister: Address Free SHS failures or consider alternatives
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has raised concerns about the challenges facing the Free Senior High School (SHS) system, urging the government to consider a review of the Free SHS policy if problems of food shortages, inadequate accommodation and inconsistent academic calendars persist.
Speaking at Manhyia Palace when the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, paid a courtesy call on him on Friday (14 March), the Asantehene questioned the effectiveness of the policy in its current state.
He argued that if students continue to face hardships such as inadequate feeding and unstable school schedules, it would be better either to cancel or to restructure the policy to allow those who can afford it to pay.
“If the students will go to school under the Free SHS policy and would not be fed due to food shortage; face accommodation challenges; and vacate after a few days in school, then it would be better to cancel the policy. Or it can be reviewed for those who can afford to pay for it,” Otumfuo said.
The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, acknowledged the concerns raised and assured the Asantehene that the government is committed to addressing the problems. He said his ministry is working on interventions to improve feeding, accommodation and overall management of the policy to ensure its effectiveness.
The call by the Asantehene adds to ongoing discussions about the future of Free SHS, as some experts have suggested that the government introduce means-testing, allowing only students from low-income families to benefit from full government support while others who can afford to do so contribute.
The government’s National Education Forum Planning Committee has received 20,050 responses on the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy through an online platform.
In addition, the committee received over 2,000 online submissions and 200 paper submissions on various other aspects of the education system.
