The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) is praying for the successful implementation of the free Senior High School (SHS) policy by government.
According to President of NAGRAT, Christian Addai-Poku, a literate society is a panacea to national development thus it would support the Akufo-Addo government if it decides to dedicate half of the nation’s resources to education.
His comment comes after President Akufo-Addo over the weekend announced the implementation of the free SHS policy for the 2017-2018 academic year in fulfillment of a campaign promise of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2012 which was reiterated in the 2016 electioneering campaign.
“So that no one in Ghana is left in any doubts…by free SHS, we mean that, in addition to tuition which is already free, there will be no admission fees, no library fees, no science centre fees, no computer lab fees, no examination fees, no utility fees; there will be free textbooks, free boarding, and free meals, and day students will get a meal at school for free.” It kicks off 2017/2018 academic year,” President Akufo-Addo stated during the Speech and Prize-giving Day ceremony of Okuapeman Secondary.
This announcement has been met with mixed reactions with many doubting the feasibility of the policy.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday, Addai-Poku said there is no cause for alarm if the right structures are put in place.
He, however, wondered whether adequate measures have been put in place to accommodate the expected increase in enrollment in terms of infrastructure and personnel.
“We cannot prioritize anything at the expense of education, so I pray they [government] succeeds,” the NAGRAT boss stated.
Christian Addai-Poku urged government to ensure the timely release of resources for the smooth implementation of the policy.