Executive Director of Child Rights International, Bright Appiah has cautioned the government against extending the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy to private schools, citing feasibility and resource constraints.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Burning Issues with Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom, Mr. Appiah stressed that public schools are already grappling with challenges under the policy, and the government must prioritize addressing these issues before considering private institutions.
“It will be difficult for the government to do that. They should not attempt it. The public institutions are having issues; we need to look at that first,” he stated.
According to Mr. Appiah, incorporating private schools into the Free SHS framework would require significant groundwork, including comprehensive feasibility studies, which could take years to complete.
“It might take a year or two for feasibility studies,” he added, emphasizing that the move could strain government resources and derail the current efforts to stabilize and improve public schools.
The Free SHS policy, introduced in 2017, has faced criticism over logistical challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of teaching materials, and overcrowding in public schools.
Mr. Appiah’s remarks come amidst calls from some stakeholders for the policy to be expanded to include private schools to ease the burden on public institutions and provide equal opportunities for students.
He urged the government to focus on resolving the persistent issues within public schools to ensure the sustainability of the Free SHS program.